Rocket Man (2019)
A review by Shlomoh Sherman
June 4, 2019

Read about Rocket Man On the Internet Movie Data Base


Rocket Man (2019)
Plot Synopsis: A musical fantasy about the fantastical human story of Elton John's breakthrough years.
Director: Dexter Fletcher
Writer: Lee Hall (screenplay)
Stars: Taron Egerton, Jamie Bell, Richard Madden - See more cast below
Plot Keywords: pop music - pianist - musician - rock star
Taglines: The only way to tell his story is to live his fantasy
Genres: Biography - Drama - Music - Musical
Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
Rated R for language throughout, some drug use and sexual content
Parents Guide: See below
Country: UK - USA
Language: English
Release Date: May 31, 2019 (USA)
Filming Locations: Bray Studios, England, UK
Box Office:
Budget: $40,000,000 (estimated)
Company Credits: Production Co: Marv Films, Marv Studios, New Republic Pictures
Runtime: 121 min
Sound Mix: Dolby Surround 7.1
Color: Color
1 nomination. See below


Review:

And I think it's gonna be a long long time
'Till touch down brings me round again to find
I'm not the man they think I am at home
Oh no no no I'm a rocket man
Rocket man burning out his fuse up here alone

Before watching this film, I knew very little about the life of Elton John other than he is a great vocal artist, that he suffered from some kind of throat issue which he overcame, and that he is gay and married.

I did not know that his life has been filled with pain, that he grew up with an unloving father who refused to give him the affection that he desired while giving that very affection to his siblings. One can imagine the young Elton agonizing about what he could possibly have done to distance his father from him. Possibly he sought out that missing affection in the arms of his numerous male lovers, and in the abuse of so many substances, to such a degree as would have killed another man.

The lyrics of his life seem to write themselves ----

What have I got to do to make you love me?
What have I got to do to make you care?
What do I do when lightning strikes me
And I wake to find that you're not there?
What have I got to do to make you want me?
What have I got to do to be heard?
What do I say when it's all over
And sorry seems to be the hardest word?

No, Elton John was not the man I thought he was at home. The degree of energy that Elton, even as a sex and drug addict, has given to his craft, his amazing talent, his wild life, shows him not only as a Rocket Man but as his own personal rocket burning out the fuse of that wild life, and all alone even when surrounded by his many friends and fans.

I don't belive I have ever seen Taron Egerton, the amazing, highly talented young man who portrays Elton. This actor deserves an award, more than one.

Actor, dancer and singer; Taron's own voice is the one we hear belting out Elton's songs. Elton himself reportedly has said that watching Taron perform his music, "If I didn't know better, I would think that it's my real voice coming out of him." High praise from Mr. Rocket Man himself.

Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, is an English singer, songwriter, pianist, and composer ... was born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on 25 March 1947, in Pinner, Middlesex - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elton_John

The film portrays his parents as rather cold in their relationship with the young musical genius but emotionally supported by his doting grandmother who encouraged Elton to pursue training as a classical artist.

Elton's talent was very early on disovered by British agents and managers and his career took off early in his life. But in spite of his almost immediate success, both in England and America, an overwhelming saddness haunted him, causing difficuties in his personal relationships. In that context, the words "It's lonely out in space on such a timeless flight" take on new meaning, as do many of his lyrics once you learn his story.

An example might be an indictment of a former lover ----

Don't go breaking my heart ...
Nobody knows it
When I was down
I was your clown
Nobody knows it,
But right from the start
I gave you my heart

Or this to show his anguish -----

If you feel that it's real I'm on trial
And I'm here in your prison
Like a coin in your mint
I am dented and I'm spent with high treason
Take me to the pilot for control
Take me to the pilot of your soul

Elton gave his heart to his public and didn't want to be judged negatively because of his sexual orientation. When he finally did confide to his mother that he is gay, it was obvious that she already knew, and perhaps his father did as well and it may have contributed to his father's remoteness.

Thankfully, with the support of the people closest to him and years of psychotherapy, and maybe with the adoration of his fans, Elton was able to overcome the painfull adversities afflicting him. Later in his life, Elton entered a happy marriage and adopted two children. He was also knighted by the Queen. I recall watching princess Diana's funeral on television, and hearing Elton singing a revised version of Candle In the Wind in honor of Diana's life.

To drive home the extraordinary outcome of his volotile life, towards the end of the film, Elton breaks out in song and dance ---

Did you think this fool could never win?
Well look at me, I'm coming back again.
Don't you know I'm still standing better than I ever did
Looking like a true survivor, feeling like a little kid
I'm still standing after all this time
Picking up the pieces of my life ...

The movie is presented as a kind of fantasy in which the events of Elton's life are played out, hilighted by him singing the songs we all know and love.

The music, the dancing, the panorama that is Elton John's story make for a wonderful 121 minutes of sheer joy. I can't say enough about this movie since there is so much to it to do an adequate job in a review such as this.

As usual, I include in my movie reviews, at excerpt from at least one reviewer on IMDB.

Here is one from French Eddie Felson's May 31, 2019 review:

"This film is conceived like a musical based on the songs and the life of Elton John, from the 50s to the early 80s, the selected songs being representative of the manifold events of his life, the ups ... and the downs ... his childhood during which he quickly turns out to be a natural born musician ... the first cures of detoxification (alcohol, drugs). The movie ends with the punchy 'I'm still standing', a song written in 1983, ... foreshadowing a frantic recovery of his life. One of my favorite scenes among many others is the meeting at the Royal Academy of Music, with the third movement of the Sonata Piano No. 11 by Mozart played twice. I do not know if it's true but, if so, this child is bluffing and an early genius! The costumes are superb and the actors are fabulous. The realization is ingenious especially with the appropriate and relevant insertion of the songs in the film, like in a musical."

KUDOS TO Taron Egerton as Elton John; never having seen him perform before, I am simply blown away by his multi-talents. Look for big things from him and many awards.


Trivia:
Marks Dexter Fletcher's second biographical movie about a music icon. Fletcher also completed work on Bohemian Rhapsody (2018).
Jamie Bell (who plays Bernie Taupin) played the lead role in the film version of Billy Elliot (2000). Elton John was a key figure in helping develop the stage version of the film.
Taron Egerton does all of his own singing in the film.
Elton John told Taron Egerton to not copy him too much in the film, and make his own version out of it.
Elton John co-starred with Taron Egerton in Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017). Egerton even sang John's hit "I'm Still Standing" in Sing (2016).
The exterior footage of early 1970s LA during the Troubadour club era was stock 35 mm footage that was digitally cleaned up as it would have been far too impractical and expensive to redecorate parts of Sunset Boulevard in a 1970s style just for the few seconds of film required.
This is Taron Egerton's third movie featuring Elton John as a character or contributor. The first movie was Sing (2016) where Egerton sang Elton John's "I'm Still Standing." The second time, Elton John is co-starred in Egerton's Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017). In this film, Egerton plays his own version of Elton John.
James McAvoy and Daniel Radcliffe were considered to play Elton John.
Back in 2012, Elton John revealed his top choice to play him in a biopic was Justin Timberlake.
When Elton calls his mother to tell her he's gay, she and Fred are watching Liberace on television. Appropriately enough, Liberace was also a flamboyant piano player whose homosexuality was not widely known during his lifetime.
When Elton John is seen going through his record collection, Queen's 1976 album A Day At The Races is briefly visible. A possible nod to Bohemian Rhapsody (2018), on which Dexter Fletcher did finalizing work.
Elton's suicide attempt is portrayed as the inspiration for the song Rocket Man. Rocket Man was in fact inspired by actual NASA scientists, but a later suicide attempt; in which he stuck his head in an oven but was rescued by Bernie; inspired the song "Someone Saved My Life Tonight."

Goofs:
John - in Elton John - here attributed to John Lennon, rather than Long John Baldry. Most likely not a real goof given it enabled the film to give a little nod to John Lennon, a close friend of Elton's way back when.
Reg Dwight chose his stage name after his band-mates Elton Dean and Long John Baldry, but the movie implies his new persona's surname honors John Lennon.
During one scene set in Dick James's office in the late 1960s, Elton sings the first bar of 'Sad Songs (say so much)' only to be met with James's remark "Too depressing". This song was not actually written by Bernie Taupin until 1983 (and released in 1984). Whilst this is technically an anachronism, the filmmakers have also said this film is not a factually correct biography and that they took some liberties for the sake of the story.

Crazy Credits:
The film has a 'text ending'. It reveals that Elton John has been sober for 28 years and counting (but still has a problem with shopping), has established a successful aids charity that has raised over $400 million for HIV/ aids sufferers, is still friends with Bernie Taupin and has never had an argument with him, has finally found proper love with his now husband David Furnish, and has retired from making music in order to focus on raising his two sons.
Stills of Taron Edgerton from scenes in the film are compared to real life images of Elton John throughout the end credits.

Quotes:
Counselor: Did marriage make you happy?
Elton John: Not really. I'm gay.
Bernie Taupin: [from trailer] Don't you want to just sing without this ridiculous paraphernalia?
Elton John: People don't pay to see Reg Dwight! They pay to see ELTON JOHN!
John Reid: [from trailer] There are moments in a rock star's life that define who he is. Where there is darkness, there is now you, and it's going to be a wild ride.
Sheila: Do you know how disappointing it is to be your mother?
Elton John: Real love's hard to come by. So you find a way to cope without it.

Soundtracks:
The Bitch Is Back Written by Elton John & Bernie Taupin Published by HST Publishing Ltd and Rouge Booze Inc. Administered by Universal Music Publishing Ltd Produced by Giles Martin Performed by Taron Egerton & Matthew Illesley
Les Patineurs Written by Emil Waldteufel Arranged by Ben Foster Produced by Giles Martin
Lee Written by Jimmy Raney Performed by Stan Getz with Jimmy Raney & Terry Gibbs Published by Concord Bicycle Assets LLC From the album "Early Stan" (Prestige 7255) Courtesy of Prestige Records By arrangement with Concord
I Got A Feeling Words & Music by Baker Knight Published by Matragun Music Inc., EMI Unart Catalog Inc. / Sony/ATV Songs LLC Recorded by Ricky Nelson Licensed courtesy of Sony/ATV Music Publishing
Rondo Alla Turca Written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
I Want Love Written by Elton John & Bernie Taupin Published by HST Publishing Ltd and Cow Dog Music Inc. Administered by Universal Music Publishing Ltd Produced by Giles Martin Performed by Kit Connor, Gemma Jones, Bryce Dallas Howard & Steven Mackintosh
Move It Written by Ian Samwell Published by EMI Multimood Music Ltd Performed by Cliff Richard Courtesy of Warner Music UK Ltd
Blue Suede Shoes Written by Carl Perkins Published by Wren Music Co., a Division of MPL Music Publishing, Inc. on behalf of Carl Perkins Music, Inc. Performed by Elvis Presley on the television program "Stage Show (1954)" Courtesy of the Jackie Gleason Enterprises LLC
Piano Quintet in A Major D.667 (The Trout) Written by Franz Schubert Arranged by Ben Foster & Andy Patterson Produced by Giles Martin
Streets Of Laredo (Instrumental) Traditional Produced by Giles Martin Performed by Dave Hartley
Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting) Written by Elton John & Bernie Taupin Published by Universal / Dick James Music Ltd Produced by Giles Martin Performed by Taron Egerton & Kit Connor
Breaking Down The Walls Of Heartache Written by Denny Randell & Sandy Linzer Published by Screen Gems-EMI Music Inc. Performed by Jason Pennycooke & Alexia Khadime
Thank You For All Your Loving Written by Elton John & Caleb Quaye Published by Universal / Dick James Music Ltd Produced by Giles Martin Performed by Taron Egerton
Honky Cat Music by Elton John Lyrics by Bernie Taupin Performed by Taron Egerton & Richard Madden
Candle In The Wind (Instrumental) Written by Elton John & Bernie Taupin Published by Universal / Dick James Music Ltd Produced by Giles Martin Performed by Dave Hartley
Streets Of Laredo Traditional Produced by Giles Martin Performed by Taron Egerton & Jamie Bell
Border Song Written by Elton John & Bernie Taupin Published by Universal / Dick James Music Ltd Produced by Giles Martin Performed by Taron Egerton
Daniel Written by Elton John & Bernie Taupin Published by Universal / Dick James Music Ltd Produced by Giles Martin Performed by Taron Egerton
I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues Written by Elton John, Bernie Taupin & Davey Johnstone Published by HST Publishing Ltd, Rouge Booze Inc. and Big Pig Music Ltd Administered by Universal Music Publishing Ltd Produced by Giles Martin Performed by Taron Egerton
Sad Songs (Say So Much) Written by Elton John & Bernie Taupin Published by HST Publishing Ltd and Rouge Booze Inc. Administered by Universal Music Publishing Ltd Produced by Giles Martin Performed by Taron Egerton
Rock And Roll Madonna Written by Elton John & Bernie Taupin Published by Universal / Dick James Music Ltd Produced by Giles Martin Performed by Taron Egerton
Your Song Written by Elton John & Bernie Taupin Published by Universal / Dick James Music Ltd Produced by Giles Martin Performed by Taron Egerton
Amoreena Written by Elton John & Bernie Taupin Published by Universal / Dick James Music Ltd Produced by Giles Martin Performed by Taron Egerton
Screamin' Written by Mike Bloomfield Published by WB Music Corp. All rights administered by Warner / Chappell North America Ltd Performed by Paul Butterfield Blues Band (as The Paul Butterfield Blues Band) Courtesy of Warner Music UK Ltd
Crocodile Rock Written by Elton John & Bernie Taupin Published by Universal / Dick James Music Ltd Produced by Giles Martin Performed by Taron Egerton
Wild Women Don't Have The Blues Written by Ida Cox Published by Universal / MCA Music Ltd Performed by The Big Three Courtesy of Warner Music UK Ltd
Tiny Dancer Written by Elton John & Bernie Taupin Published by Universal / Dick James Music Ltd Produced by Giles Martin Performed by Taron Egerton
Take Me To The Pilot Written by Elton John & Bernie Taupin Published by Universal / Dick James Music Ltd Produced by Giles Martin Performed by Taron Egerton
Hercules Written by Elton John & Bernie Taupin Published by Universal / Dick James Music Ltd Produced by Giles Martin Performed by Taron Egerton
Don't Go Breaking My Heart Written by Bernie Taupin (as Carte Blanche) & Elton John (as Ann Orson) Published by HST Publishing Ltd and Rouge Booze Inc. Administered by Universal Music Publishing Ltd Produced by Giles Martin Performed by Taron Egerton & Rachel Muldoon
Ermine and Pearls Written by Ben Foster
Pinball Wizard Written by Pete Townshend Published by Fabulous Music Ltd Produced by Giles Martin Performed by Taron Egerton
Dazz Written by Reginald J Hargis, Edward Irons Jr. & Raymond Lincoln Ransom Published by H&R Lastrada Music & administered by BMG Rights Management UK Ltd, a BMG Company (c) 1976 Silver Cloud Music/Trolley Music for the world Administered by Kassner Associated Publishers Ltd for the UK & Eire Used by permission. All rights reserved. Performed by Brick Courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment UK Ltd
Rocket Man Written by Elton John & Bernie Taupin Published by Universal / Dick James Music Ltd Produced by Giles Martin Performed by Taron Egerton & Matthew Illesley
Bennie And The Jets Written by Elton John & Bernie Taupin Published by Universal / Dick James Music Ltd Produced by Giles Martin Performed by Taron Egerton
Victim Of Love Written by Pete Bellotte, Sylvester Levay & Jerry Rix Published by Universal Music Publishing Ltd All rights administered by Warner/Chappell Music Ltd Produced by Giles Martin Performed by Taron Egerton
Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me Written by Elton John & Bernie Taupin Published by HST Publishing Ltd and Rouge Booze Inc. Administered by Universal Music Publishing Ltd Produced by Giles Martin Performed by Taron Egerton & Celinde Schoenmaker
Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word Written by Elton John & Bernie Taupin Published by HST Publishing Ltd and Rouge Booze Inc. Administered by Universal Music Publishing Ltd Produced by Giles Martin Performed by Taron Egerton
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road Written by Elton John & Bernie Taupin Published by Universal / Dick James Music Ltd Produced by Giles Martin Performed by Taron Egerton & Jamie Bell
I'm Still Standing Written by Elton John & Bernie Taupin Published by HST Publishing Ltd and Rouge Booze Inc. Administered by Universal Music Publishing Ltd Produced by Giles Martin Performed by Taron Egerton
I'm Gonna Love Me Again Written by Elton John & Bernie Taupin Published by HST Publishing Ltd, Cow Dog Music Inc. Paramount Bella Music & Paramount Allegra Music Administered by Universal Music Publishing Ltd Produced by Giles Martin & Greg Kurstin Mixed by Spike Stent (as Mark "Spike" Stent) Performed by Elton John & Taron Egerton


PARENTS GUIDE FOR ROCKETMAN (2019)

Certification: MPAA Rated R for language throughout, some drug use and sexual content

Certifications:
Argentina:16 Australia:MA15+ Australia:M (on-appeal) Austria:12 Belgium:KT/EA Brazil:16 Bulgaria:C Canada:14A (Alberta) Canada:PG (British Columbia) Canada:PG (Manitoba) Canada:14A (Nova Scotia) Canada:G (Quebec) Chile:14 Colombia:15 Czech Republic:12 Denmark:11 Ecuador:12 (Guayaquil) Ecuador:12 (Loja) Ecuador:15 (Quito) Finland:K-12 France:Tous publics Germany:12 Greece:K-15 Hungary:16 Iceland:12 Ireland:15A Israel:16 Italy:T Lithuania:N-16 Malta:15 Mexico:B-15 Netherlands:12 New Zealand:M Norway:12 Peru:14 Portugal:M/16 Russia:18+ South Africa:16 South Korea:15 Spain:16 (ICAA) Sweden:7 Switzerland:14 Taiwan:R-15 United Kingdom:15 United States:R (certificate #51916)

SEX & NUDITY
A man is seen rising from another's crotch, no nudity and the scene only last seconds.
Surrealist orgy in which many people writhe against each other. Brief view of a woman's breasts.
Heavy kissing.
Overall the film isn't too bad as far as sex goes. It more so turns the camera away from the main action and is never explicitly shown.
2 men have sex in a missionary position then the camera cuts away.
In the beginning of the movie, when he is in the rehab's support group, he confesses that he is a Sex addict.

VIOLENCE & GORE:
Elton is punched in the face.

PROFANITY:
"Fuck" is used 26 times. "Shit", "bitch", "damn" and "hell" are used pretty frequently.
Some homophobic terms (fag, fairy, poofter).
1 use of "cunt"

ALCOHOL, DRUGS & SMOKING:
Elton John is addicted to cocaine, weed and alcohol. The use of these substances is frequently depicted. He also mentions that he has tried every drug known to man, yet this lifestyle isn't shown as glamorous in any way.
This is one of the biggest reasons for its R rating but is there to show Elton getting over the turmoil of his drug issues and it's never shown in a good light. It is also associated with the slight downfall of Sir Elton John.

FRIGHTENING & INTENSE SCENES:
Elton is in emotional distress throughout most of the movie.
Elton has a troubled relationship with both his parents.
Elton has a troubled and complicated relationship with his lover-manager.
Realistic depiction of drug and alcohol abuse.
Elton struggles with depression.
Elton struggles with his sexuality.
The film is medium R very hard PG-13.
In some scenes, after Elton does heavy drugs, it will show the terrible aftermath.
A man puts his head in another man's crotch. Many gay references.

SPOILERS:
The Parents Guide items below may give away important plot points.

SEX & NUDITY:
The movie has a sex scene including John Reid (Richard Madden) and Elton John (Taron Egerton). It is said this sex scene is important because it depicts Elton losing his virginity. No actual thrusting or gratuitous detail is shown.

VIOLENCE & GORE:
Elton has anger management issues, so he would throw things and scream when he'd get angry.

FRIGHTENING & INTENSE SCENES:
The film takes place during an alcoholics anonymous session, with events of Elton's life told in flashbacks with fantastical elements.
Elton often blacks out and misses huge chunks of his life, due to drug abuse.
Elton unsuccessfully tries to kill himself by overdosing on prescription pills and jumping in his pool.
The film opens in a rehab center.


AWARDS FOR ROCKETMAN (2019)

Cannes Film Festival 2019 - Nominee - Queer Palm - Dexter Fletcher


Movie Trailer

Rocketman Scene

Elton John & Taron Egerton - ‘Tiny Dancer’ (Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party)

Elton John & Taron Egerton - ‘Rocketman’ (Elton John Cannes Film Festival)

What Surprised the 'Rocketman' Cast About Elton John - IMDb on the Scene - Rocketman stars Taron Egerton, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Richard Madden reveal the most surprising thing they discovered about Elton John while filming the musical biopic.

Read about Rocket Man On the Internet Movie Data Base


Cast:
Cast overview, first billed only:
Taron Egerton ... Elton John
Jamie Bell ... Bernie Taupin
Richard Madden ... John Reid
Bryce Dallas Howard ... Sheila
Gemma Jones ... Ivy
Steven Mackintosh ... Stanley
Tom Bennett ... Fred
Matthew Illesley ... Young Reggie
Kit Connor ... Older Reggie
Charlie Rowe ... Ray Williams
Peter O'Hanlon ... Bobby (as Pete O'Hanlon)
Ross Farrelly ... Cyril
Evan Walsh ... Elton Dean
Tate Donovan ... Doug Weston
Sharmina Harrower ... Heather


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