Director: Dexter Fletcher
Starring: Taron Egerton, Bryce Dallas Howard and Jamie Bell
‘A Marvellous Musical Biopic’
Not many actresses in Hollywood have earned the recognition of Bryce Dallas Howard. Since her rise to stardom during the 2000’s, Howard has become a beloved feminist icon. Whether it’s blind villagers, dinosaur explorers or helpful housekeepers, Howard has portrayed several powerful characters. Arguably, Howard’s finest strength as an actress has often been her bold commitment. She has always poured her heart and soul into every single role. Even if a movie isn’t great, Howard has always stood out like a bright light bulb as the best part about it. One of the most dedicated actresses in the modern film industry, Howard has built a lasting legacy. Through her abilities to portray characters that are compelling, Howard has built a commemorated legacy that has proven to be lasting. An iconic figure in the world of entertainment, Howard has become a commemorated movie-star with bold commitment. Throughout her career, Howard has manufactured many powerful movies that definitely without a doubt deserve to be talked about.
I’m a huge fan of Howard and admire all the movies she has made in her career. However, “Rocketman” is definitely my favourite. Ever since its release in 2019, Dexter Fletcher’s film has stood the test of time as a masterpiece about a musician. Packed with breathtaking production-design, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the greatest musical biopics ever made. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Bryce Dallas Howard, who embodies the concerned mother of a world-famous singer. Ultimately, what makes “Rocketman” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a bold message about the importance of finding one’s sexual identity which would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be fans of Elton John’s music to appreciate it. A riveting masterpiece about a beloved musician, there are several strong reasons why “Rocketman” is a commemorated movie which is worth seeing.
“Rocketman” tells the true story of how Elton John became one of the finest musicians of the 21st Century. Taron Edgerton embodies Elton John, the world-famous singer with a lasting legacy. Sitting in a therapy session, John reflects on his childhood. From an early age, John develops a lifelong love for music. Assisted with his supportive mother Sheila (Bryce Dallas Howard), John embarks on a journey to become a celebrated musician in Britain. However, Elton’s dreams are forever destroyed when he discovers the grim reality of being a singer. Faced with his controlling manager John Reid (Richard Madsen), Elton begins to question whether it’s possible to be an iconic singer. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Elton begins to wonder if being a singer is worth it. Faced with barriers that are tragic, Elton questions whether it is possible for him to pursue his lifelong dreams of music.
Dexter Fletcher is a newcomer towards the stories of musicians. Before “Rocketman”, Fletcher has never directed a movie about musicians before. Fletcher was known for making sports movies about world-famous athletes. With “Rocketman”, however, the filmmaker directed his first musical biopic about a singer. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the life of a renowned singer, but he succeeded. Using stunning cinematography, Fletcher demonstrates a musician embarking upon a journey to find identity. Fletcher effectively uses montages capturing a young kid growing up to be a famous musician. For instance, the montages enhance the Saturday Night musical scene. During this unforgettable scene, Elton grows up to become a musician in a nightclub. One admired montages capturing a musician that achieved popularity. Montages are not easy to use in movies. As Damien Chazelle’s “La La Land” suggested, montages elevate musicals about Los Angeles. Bryan Singer’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” demonstrated montages enhance commemorated biopics about Queen. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through captivating visuals, Fletcher captures a commemorated musician which is inspiring.
Another admirable aspect of “Rocketman” that contributes towards its success is production. From a technical perspective, the film is very well-made. Fletcher effectively uses magical realism to stage marvellous musical numbers honouring a legendary musician. For instance, magical realism elevates the Rocketman music scene. During this memorable sequence, Elton John attempts to commit suicide by drowning himself in his house pool during a party. It’s a tricky scene to make a musical number out of, but Fletcher succeeds tremendously. Fletcher effectively uses magical realism to capture the joyous nature of a singer performing melodies he has grown to treasure. Magical realism is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu’s “Birdman” demonstrated, magical realism elevates films about theatre actors. Nevertheless, it works tremendously in this film. Moreover, the music score is superb. It gives the film a joyous atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that musicians bear. Using terrific production-design, Fletcher captures musicians that shine.
Storytelling is one of the primary reasons why “Rocketman” is a music biopic that’s riveting. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses non-linear storytelling to capture the life of a musician that’s rising. Fletcher’s greatest screenwriting strength is capturing the intense hardships that musicians are experiencing by non-linear storytelling. The movie seamlessly switches back and forth between two different timelines: flashbacks of Elton John’s childhood and present-day scenes of therapy sessions. For instance, non-linear storytelling enhances the opening scene. During this unforgettable scene, Elton sits in rehab sessions recounting his traumatic memories of being abandoned by his father as a child. One appreciates non-linear storytelling that captures the obstacles world-famous musicians are facing. Through this ingenious non-linear structure, Fletcher creates a strong portrait of a musician that audiences relate to. Non-linear storytelling is a tricky technique to use in films. As Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” claimed, non-linear storytelling elevates historical biopics about bomb inventors. Nevertheless, it works very well in this film. Through a strong screenplay, Fletcher celebrates a commemorated singer today.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
Taron Egerton delivers one of his best career performances as Elton John. Egerton earned appreciation for playing renowned athletes in history. With “Rocketman”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray the personality of a legendary singer, but he succeeded immensely. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charming and emotional in his most iconic role. It’s a role which posed challenges requiring the actor to sing melodies live but he pulled it off expertly. With mesmerizing expressions, he illustrates the angst, determination and trauma of a real-life singer that forever changed the world. It’s a phenomenal performance that celebrates the melodies of one of the world’s most renowned musicians today.
Bryce Dallas Howard is brilliant as a mother that struggles to care for her son’s musical talent in a marriage facing disaster. Howard has spend most of her career playing likeable women with compassionate personality. With “Rocketman”, however, she took on her most complex role. As Elton John’s mother, Howard did an exceptional job of portraying a real-life historical figure. Whether she’s shocked to find her son’s secret sexual identity or engaging in a tense argument with her husband, Howard uses her commanding voice to craft a woman that’s compelling. It’s a terrific performance by one of the most beloved actresses working in Hollywood today.
The supporting cast is sensational and also worthy of appreciation. Jamie Bell is brilliant, capturing the intelligence of Elton’s partner that comes up with interesting stories to tell ensuring that musical records sell. Richard Madden is remarkable, capturing the strong determination of a controlling manager that endeavours to bully a musician. Lastly, Steven Mackintosh merits appreciation. As Elton’s estranged father, he brings heartfelt emotion to the movie.
Finally, “Rocketman” would earn appreciation of everyone for capturing the hardships which musicians face. Unlike most movies about the lives of famous singers, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. The movie discusses strong themes including identity, passion and trauma which would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be fans of Elton John’s music to appreciate it. It delivers a universal message about childhood trauma which would definitely resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Rocketman” is one of those rare biographies about famous musicians that everyone would adore.
Fans of Bryce Dallas Howard would definitely appreciate “Rocketman” and so will movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A spellbinding musical biopic, it celebrates an actress that has built a legacy which is iconic.
Nearly 60 years after Elton John overcame the challenging barriers of bad parenting to become a world-famous singer composing melodies that are awe-inspiring, it’s a spellbinding reminder about an engaging actress that has gained a huge fan following earning worldwide recognition for her abilities to portray larger-than-life characters which are compelling in memorable movies which are without a single doubt worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 