Rocketman

Based on a true fantasy is the poster tag line for Rocketman and it really is a good summation. This is not a biopic of Elton John. It’s a musical that uses his songs to give us a sense of his life. Using the device that Elton is sharing his tales of addiction to a support group we see his life from his viewpoint charting the story from his childhood to the moment he chooses sobriety.

The film that Rocketman will most likely get compared to is Bohemian Rhapsody because of the fact that it is based on an iconic rock figure and it’s directed by Dexter Fletcher who stepped in to finish that film when its director, Bryan Singer was sacked. This comparison would be highly inaccurate for a number of reasons but hopefully will give Rocketman the kind of audience it deserves. Where as Bohemian Rhapsody was an insipid biopic that veered away from anything controversial this is a bold and cinematic musical that does not shy away from its protagonist’s sexuality, alcoholism or drug use. In fact it is much closer to Fletcher’s previous two films, Sunshine on Leith and Eddie the Eagle. The former a musical using the music of The Proclaimers and the latter a heart warming biopic that takes liberties with the truth. The combination of which makes him perfect for the job of bringing this film to life.

In terms of its presentation it is spectacular fun. It is full of cinematic and imaginative ways of presenting songs to the viewer. Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting starts and ends in a pub at different points in time, taking in a fairground and some great choreography and camera moves. And that is just the tip of the iceberg with all of the songs used as a way to move the story forward, inform us of an emotional moment in Elton’s life and be presented in a fun way. The other thing to note is that the entire film is tinged with sadness. This is about a man looking to be loved who is unable to love himself.

Performances are all round fantastic as well. Fletcher clearly knows how to get the best out of Taron Egerton given his turn in Eddie the Eagle and this. Egerton is also actually singing as well, another divergence from Bohemian Rhapsody. Elsewhere there are good turns from Jamie Bell as Bernie Taupin, Bryce Dallas Howard as Elton’s mum, Richard Madden as Elton’s first love John Reid and an hilarious cameo from Stephen Graham as Elton’s first manager.

And of course it goes without saying that the costumes and spectacles on display are full of pizazz.

A huge slice of fun.