It’s hard not to compare Rocketman – the Elton John biopic starring Taron Egerton – to last year’s musical biopic about Freddy Mercury (Bohemian Rhapsody starring Rami Malek). Both films tell the tale of a queer English rockstar who would be come a legend, but both films take a different approach to telling their stories.
It’s surprising to not hear as much award chatter about Egerton’s performance as was expressed about Malek’s Mercury, but Egerton’s embodiment of Elton’s journey was electrifying. Not shying away from Elton John’s dark history with drug and alcohol abuse, the film handled these matters with a fantastic respect and authenticity.
While there’s no doubting this film is biographical, the film does a superb job at weaving the music within the story true Musical fashion. Whether you’re a devoted Elton John fan, or just a casual music lover, Rocketman is a must experience movie.
About Rocketman:
ROCKETMAN is an epic musical fantasy about the incredible human story of Elton John’s breakthrough years. The film follows the fantastical journey of transformation from shy piano prodigy Reginald Dwight into international superstar Elton John. This inspirational story — set to Elton John’s most beloved songs and performed by star Taron Egerton — tells the universally relatable story of how a small-town boy became one of the most iconic figures in pop culture. ROCKETMAN also stars Jamie Bell as Elton’s longtime lyricist and writing partner Bernie Taupin, Richard Madden as Elton’s first manager, John Reid, and Bryce Dallas Howard as Elton’s mother Sheila Farebrother.
Rocketman hits theaters May 31st
— Yael Tygiel