Rocketman: The Colourful Story of a Living Legend

In the last 12 months, I have seen some incredible biopics of unforgettable musicians. Rocketman, the film based on the life of Sir Elton John was one of them, after Bohemian Rhapsody. Directed by Dexter Fletcher and co-produced by David Furnish, John’s husband, the film is perfectly displaying how a quintessential English boy discovered his passion for music, his compelling path to stardom, childhood trauma and not surprisingly, his battle with addiction.

This world has rarely seen artists, singers or writers that have proved themselves to be successful, as individuals with a simple and happy life. In order to manifest the purest form of an emotion, you must feel it first, go through cloudy days which is the realist rule of an artistic life. Elton John was one of them. After going through a rather difficult childhood having fought for his parents’ affection and care, he finds cure in music: “And then I discovered records and rock’n’roll” young Reg Dwight says in the film. Taron Egerton starring as Elton John, puts an emotionally compelling and challenging performance which is almost identical with that of the singer. Later we witness a young boy turning into a hip youngster rising to fame as a consequence of his collaboration with songwriter Bernie Taupin (Jamie Bell). I knew seeing the film would also certainly provide great imagery of 70s and 80s London’s rock’n’roll live music scene. That turned out to be true, John and Bell’s very first step taken to fame was at a music production company on Denmark Street in Holborn. Partly musical, partly psychologically stressing and partly a fun-fantasy, the biopic was built upon with a marvelous style of layers in which the story is regularly divided either by John’s signature songs or moments of hitting low. When Bell leaves him at a party for a beautiful woman in Los Angeles, he feels hurt and lonely, suddenly Tiny Dancer tunes in

“Blue jean baby, L.A. lady, seamstress for the band

Pretty eyed, pirate smile, you’ll marry a music man

Ballerina, you must have seen her dancing in the sand

And now she’s in me, always with me, tiny dancer in my hand”

Personally, I had always wondered the meaning behind John’s words and placing songs in a relevant order, in accordance with John’s life events, was really enjoyable in that sense- everything made more sense. The brilliant use of vivid, bold colours as well as flamboyant costumes were also elements of harmony in the film; blending in with the singer’s character, music and moves. Floating concert crowds, luxurious shopping scenes and the metaphor with pool and subconscious was I believe factors of fantasy side of the film.

Depiction of him as a gay man, was very realistic yet not limited. We witness him going through his first relationship, cut, put Don’t Go Breaking My Heart here. Well, his heart does get broken in the end. For an individual who never felt truly loved and cared by his parents, his multi-millionaire status at the age of 25, his heartbreaks and the challenging environment drags him into alcoholism, aggression and addiction of many substances, and eventually hitting the bottom, just like many mega stars we have heard of. Although he is one of the greatest musicians alive, in fact, he was never truly admired by himself or his family. John was an individual constantly questioning his worth, self-love and success. The reasons surely lied way back in his childhood, but he finally discovers his way out of that: to face and accept. Hence my love for the end of the film. If you would like to hear some good, old, legendary tunes, take full advantage of this colourful, fun and glittery production.

“And you can tell everybody that this is your song

It may be quite simple but now that it’s done

I hope you don’t mind ,I hope you don’t mind

That I put down in words

How wonderful life is while you’re in the world”