• Privacy policy
  • T&C’s
  • FAQ
  • Meet the Team
  • About The London Economic
  • Advertise
TLE ONLINE SHOP!
NEWSLETTER
SUPPORT THE LONDON ECONOMIC
  • TLE
  • News
  • Politics
  • Opinion
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Film
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Property
  • Travel
  • Tech/Auto
No Result
View All Result
The London Economic
  • TLE
  • News
  • Politics
  • Opinion
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Film
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Property
  • Travel
  • Tech/Auto
No Result
View All Result
The London Economic
No Result
View All Result
Home Film

Rocketman: Enough fuel and fire for liftoff

RelatedPosts Film Review: Mank Film Review: Possessor Listen: C-3PO pays tribute to Darth Vader actor Dave Prowse who died of Covid Film Review: Ropes ★★★☆☆ I entered the screening of Rocketman ignorant to Elton John’s life and work, and a little sceptical of the film’s accuracy (as I am with most biopics). Without the burden of knowledge […]

Alenya Wood by Alenya Wood
May 28, 2019
in Film, Film Reviews

RelatedPosts

Film Review: Mank

Film Review: Possessor

Listen: C-3PO pays tribute to Darth Vader actor Dave Prowse who died of Covid

Film Review: Ropes

★★★☆☆

I entered the screening of Rocketman ignorant to Elton John’s life and work, and a little sceptical of the film’s accuracy (as I am with most biopics). Without the burden of knowledge of his past, I was free to enjoy the film unencumbered. From the trippy fantasy sequences to the emotional turmoil, it was a rollercoaster set to a score of Elton’s greatest hits.

The entire score being music from a single artist is very restrictive when it comes to matching songs with scenes. For the most part, the relationships were clear and rational; however, occasional numbers felt shoehorned with little relation to plot. Other songs complemented scenes, with special effects and choreography that were creative and fun, flowing seamlessly through the years of his rise and fall.

The transitions between scenes during the drug fuelled years reflect the loss of time Elton may have experienced. Passing out in one place and waking in another maybe days later. This was a part of Elton’s life that I was unaware of, often being sad to witness and difficult to watch. Unfortunately, it seems to be a recurring theme in the lives of artists. Manipulated by a smooth-talking corporate demon and led in to a spiral of sex, drugs and alcohol.

Taron Edgerton puts in a great performance, as do the supporting cast, portraying dizzying highs, devastating lows, and heart-breaking neglect. His cruel mother (Bryce Dallas-Howard), disgusted father (Steven Mackintosh) and ruthless manager (Richard Madden) all dismiss him. But lyricist Bernie Taupin, played by the brilliant Jamie Bell, remained forever loyal and loving.

A special shoutout to Stephen Graham, whose hilarious performance as ex-manager Dick James almost steals the show.

Although comparisons have drawn between Rocketman and Bohemian Rhapsody, I find them to be very different films, as if one being a musical and the other a film with music. With Rocketman director Dexter Fletcher (who completed filming of Bohemian Rhapsody) has created a gritty representation of Elton’s life as opposed to a nostalgic celebration. It leaves you feeling drained rather than elated. It may not be an epic, but it is as colourful as the subject which is all we could have asked for. 

Support fearless, free, investigative journalism Support fearless, free, investigative journalism Support fearless, free, investigative journalism

Subscribe to our Newsletter

View our  Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions

Trending fromTLE

  • All
  • trending

Stress, fear and homelessness: The threat looming over families confronted with eviction

File photo dated 07/11/03 of a prison cell.

The other prison pandemic

Credit;PA

Repressionomics: Get ready for the new permanent austerity

Latest from TLE

Credit;PA

Covid: London Mosque donates hot meals to local hospital staff as ‘token of thanks’

Image by AdobeStock

Weather forecast, alerts and UVB index for London, Saturday 16 January 2021

Lucky Numbers and Horoscopes for today, 16 January 2021

thunder ball results

Thunder Ball Results, Friday 15th January 2021

About Us

TheLondonEconomic.com – Open, accessible and accountable news, sport, culture and lifestyle.

Read more

Address

The London Economic Newspaper Limited t/a TLE
Company number 09221879
International House,
24 Holborn Viaduct,
London EC1A 2BN,
United Kingdom

Contact

Editorial enquiries, please contact: jack@thelondoneconomic.com

Commercial enquiries, please contact: advertise@thelondoneconomic.com

SUPPORT

We do not charge or put articles behind a paywall. If you can, please show your appreciation for our free content by donating whatever you think is fair to help keep TLE growing and support real, independent, investigative journalism.

DONATE & SUPPORT

© 2019 thelondoneconomic.com - TLE, International House, 24 Holborn Viaduct, London EC1A 2BN. All Rights Reserved.




No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Opinion
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Film
  • Lifestyle
  • Food
  • Property
  • Travel
  • Tech & Auto
  • About The London Economic
  • Meet the Team
  • Privacy policy

© 2019 thelondoneconomic.com - TLE, International House, 24 Holborn Viaduct, London EC1A 2BN. All Rights Reserved.