“Rocketman” hit theaters in 2019. The movie tells the story of Elton John’s life. It shows his rise to fame and his struggles.
Taron Egerton plays Elton John in this musical film. The movie mixes fact and fantasy. It uses Elton’s songs to tell his life story. The film covers his early years through his big break in the 1970s.
“Rocketman” got good reviews from critics. Many liked how it blended music and drama. The film shows both the ups and downs of Elton’s life. It doesn’t shy away from tough topics.
A Musical Journey Through the Years
Rocketman (2019) is not your typical biopic, it’s a vibrant, musical celebration of the life and music of the legendary Elton John. With Taron Egerton’s captivating performance and a visually stunning backdrop, the film takes you on a roller coaster ride through Elton’s highs and lows, ultimately leaving you with a deep appreciation for his music and his remarkable journey.
More Than Just a Biopic
“Rocketman” isn’t your average, run-of-the-mill biography. It’s a dazzling, vibrant musical spectacle that celebrates the life and music of Elton John. The film weaves Elton’s iconic songs into the narrative, creating powerful, emotionally charged scenes that resonate with audiences.
Taron Egerton’s Star Turn
Taron Egerton’s performance as Elton John is nothing short of extraordinary. He fully embodies the flamboyant showman, capturing both his vulnerability and his larger-than-life persona. Egerton’s singing voice is also impressive, adding another layer of authenticity to the portrayal.
A Visually Stunning Experience
“Rocketman” is a feast for the eyes. The film’s production design, costumes, and cinematography are all top-notch, creating a visually stunning experience that complements the music and story.
Exploring the Highs and Lows
The film doesn’t shy away from the darker aspects of Elton’s life, including his struggles with addiction and his complex relationship with his parents. These moments add depth and nuance to the story, making it more than just a celebration of his success.
A Fitting Tribute
“Rocketman” is a fitting tribute to one of the most iconic musicians of all time. It’s a film that will stay with you long after the credits roll, leaving you with a renewed appreciation for Elton John’s music and his incredible journey.
Memorable Moments
| Scene | Song | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Elton’s childhood | “The Bitch is Back” | Showcases his early musical talent and his difficult relationship with his parents |
| Elton’s rise to fame | “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting” | Captures the energy and excitement of his early concerts |
| Elton’s struggles with addiction | “Tiny Dancer” | A poignant scene that contrasts the beauty of the song with the darkness of his personal life |
| Elton’s recovery and redemption | “I’m Still Standing” | A triumphant moment that celebrates his resilience and his enduring spirit |
Key Takeaways
- “Rocketman” is a musical film about Elton John’s life
- Taron Egerton stars as Elton John in the movie
- The film mixes real events with fantasy scenes set to Elton’s music
Rocketman: An Overview
Rocketman is a 2019 musical fantasy film about Elton John’s life. It blends music and drama to tell the story of the iconic singer’s rise to fame.
Synopsis and Genre
Rocketman follows Elton John’s journey from a young piano prodigy to a global superstar. The film is a musical fantasy that uses Elton’s songs to tell his life story. It shows his struggles with addiction and his search for love and acceptance.
The movie jumps between different times in Elton’s life. It starts with him entering rehab. Then it goes back to his childhood and early career. The film covers his partnership with Bernie Taupin and his rise to fame.
Rocketman is not a typical biopic. It mixes reality with fantasy elements. This approach helps capture the spirit of Elton John’s music and personality.
Production and Release
Dexter Fletcher directed Rocketman. Lee Hall wrote the screenplay. The film stars Taron Egerton as Elton John. It also features Jamie Bell as Bernie Taupin and Richard Madden as John Reid.
Rocketman premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2019. It then had a wide release in theaters. The movie got good reviews from critics. Many praised Egerton’s performance and the musical numbers.
After its theater run, Rocketman became available on streaming platforms. Viewers can watch it on Paramount+, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home. This wider release has helped more people see the film and enjoy Elton John’s music and story.
Cast and Performances
The cast of Rocketman brought Elton John’s story to life with great skill. The actors gave strong performances that helped tell the tale of the famous musician’s journey.
Taron Egerton as Elton John
Taron Egerton played the lead role of Elton John. He sang all the songs himself instead of lip-syncing. Egerton captured Elton’s look and mannerisms well.
His performance showed Elton’s ups and downs. Egerton portrayed the singer’s talent, struggles, and growth. He wore many of Elton’s wild outfits from real life.
Critics praised Egerton’s acting and singing in the film. Some even said he could win awards for the role. Egerton worked hard to match Elton’s voice and style.
Supporting Cast
The supporting actors also did a great job in their roles. Jamie Bell played Bernie Taupin, Elton’s longtime songwriting partner. He showed the close bond between the two men.
Richard Madden took on the part of John Reid, Elton’s manager and lover. Bryce Dallas Howard acted as Sheila, Elton’s mother. Steven Mackintosh played Elton’s father Stanley.
These actors helped fill out Elton’s world. They showed the key people who shaped his life and career. Their performances added depth to Elton’s story.
Elton John’s Life and Career
Elton John’s journey from piano prodigy to global superstar is filled with musical triumphs and personal challenges. His unique style and songwriting partnership shaped pop music for decades.
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Reginald Dwight was born on March 25, 1947, in Pinner, Middlesex. He showed musical talent early on. At age 3, he started playing piano by ear.
Young Reginald won a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music at 11. He studied there on weekends for five years. This formal training added to his natural skills.
In his teens, he played piano in local pubs. He joined the band Bluesology. This is when he chose the name Elton John. It mixed names of two bandmates.
In 1967, Elton met Bernie Taupin through a music ad. This started a famous songwriting team. Elton wrote music for Bernie’s lyrics. Their partnership would last for decades.
Rise to Stardom and Musical Partnership
Elton’s first hit was “Your Song” in 1970. It showed his talent for catchy melodies. His career took off quickly after that.
The 1970s saw a string of hit albums. “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” from 1973 became a classic. It had many popular songs like “Bennie and the Jets” and “Crocodile Rock”.
Elton became known for his wild stage outfits. His concerts were big events. He often wore colorful costumes and crazy glasses. This made him stand out from other musicians.
In 1974, Elton played at the Troubadour club in Los Angeles. This show helped make him famous in America. His music was now popular worldwide.
Personal Struggles and Achievements
Elton faced personal issues while his career grew. He struggled with drug and alcohol addiction. He also hid his sexuality for many years.
In 1976, Elton came out as bisexual. Later, he identified as gay. This was a big step for a famous musician at that time.
The 1980s were hard for Elton. He battled addictions and had throat surgery. But he got help and became sober in 1990. This led to a comeback in his career.
Elton’s song “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” won an Oscar in 1994. It was from the movie “The Lion King”. He also got involved in charity work, especially for AIDS research.
Today, Elton John is seen as a music legend. He has sold over 300 million records. His life story was told in the movie “Rocketman” in 2019.
Thematic Elements and Cinematic Style
“Rocketman” blends fantasy with reality to tell Elton John’s story. The film uses music and eye-catching visuals to explore fame’s ups and downs.
Musical and Visual Spectacle
“Rocketman” brings Elton John’s songs to life in grand style. The movie turns hit tunes into big dance numbers. These scenes mix 1970s flair with dream-like effects.
Colors pop off the screen during song breaks. Costumes dazzle with sequins and feathers. The film nods to classic musicals like “Pinball Wizard” from Tommy.
Fantasy bits help show Elton’s feelings. In one scene, he floats while playing piano. This shows how music lifts his spirits. The movie uses these tricks to make viewers feel Elton’s joy and pain.
Handling of Troubled Stardom
“Rocketman” doesn’t shy away from Elton’s dark times. It shows his battles with drugs and drinking. The film depicts wild parties and shopping sprees.
These scenes balance glitz with grit. They reveal the lonely side of fame. Elton’s search for love comes across in both sad and funny moments.
The movie touches on sex and debauchery without going too far. It gives an honest look at Elton’s life. His struggles with alcohol and cocaine are key parts of the story.
By showing these troubles, “Rocketman” paints a full picture of a star’s life. It mixes the highs of success with the lows of addiction.
Production Design and Soundtrack
The movie “Rocketman” stood out for its eye-catching visuals and music. The film’s look and sound worked together to bring Elton John’s story to life.
Costume and Set Design
Julian Day created the costumes for “Rocketman”. He made over 80 outfits for Taron Egerton, who played Elton John. The clothes were bright and showy, just like Elton’s real stage wear.
Marcus Rowland designed the sets. He made places that looked like 1970s London and Los Angeles. The sets helped show Elton’s rise to fame.
One big scene was Elton’s show at the Troubadour club. The set designers made it look like Elton and the crowd were floating. This showed how special that night was for Elton’s career.
Score and Song Interpretations
Giles Martin produced the music for “Rocketman”. He worked with Matthew Margeson on the score. They changed Elton John’s songs to fit the movie’s needs.
Taron Egerton sang all of Elton’s parts himself. He didn’t just copy Elton’s voice. Instead, he made the songs his own while keeping their spirit.
The soundtrack album has 22 tracks. It includes hits like “Your Song” and “Tiny Dancer”. The songs were picked to tell Elton’s story and show his growth as an artist.
Some songs were changed to fit the movie’s scenes. For example, “Crocodile Rock” was made faster and more upbeat for Elton’s U.S. debut.
Cultural Impact and Reception
Rocketman made a big splash when it hit theaters in 2019. The movie about Elton John’s life got people talking and singing along.
Critical Acclaim and Box Office
Critics loved Rocketman. They praised Taron Egerton’s performance as Elton John. Many said he captured the star’s energy and style. The film got good reviews for its music and costumes too.
At the box office, Rocketman did well. It made over $195 million worldwide. While not a huge blockbuster, it turned a profit. The movie cost about $40 million to make.
Rocketman won some awards. It got a Golden Globe for Best Actor. The film also won an Oscar for Best Original Song.
Fan and Community Response
Elton John fans really liked the movie. They enjoyed seeing his life story on screen. Many felt it was honest about his struggles.
The LGBTQ+ community praised Rocketman. It showed Elton’s relationships with men openly. This was rare for a big studio film.
Some fans had watch parties. They dressed up in Elton-style outfits. People shared their love for the movie on social media.
Influence on Pop Culture
Rocketman boosted interest in Elton John’s music. His old songs climbed the charts again. New fans discovered his work.
The movie’s style influenced fashion. Bright colors and big glasses became trendy. Halloween costumes based on the film were popular.
Rocketman inspired other music biopics. Studios saw that these films could be big song-and-dance spectacles. It paved the way for more creative takes on true stories.
Availability and Distribution
“Rocketman” became widely available through theaters and streaming platforms. It later came out on DVD and Blu-ray for home viewing.
Theatrical Release and Streaming Options
Paramount Pictures released “Rocketman” in theaters on May 17, 2019. The movie played in cinemas worldwide for several months.
After its theater run, “Rocketman” moved to streaming services. Paramount+ added the film to its library. Other platforms like Apple TV also offered the movie for rental or purchase.
Fans could watch “Rocketman” at home through video-on-demand services. Fandango at Home let viewers rent or buy a digital copy to stream.
Home Media and Digital Sales
“Rocketman” came out on DVD and Blu-ray a few months after its theater release. These discs let people own a physical copy of the movie.
Digital versions went on sale at the same time as the discs. Viewers could buy “Rocketman” to download and keep on their devices.
Online stores like iTunes and Amazon sold both the physical and digital versions. This gave fans many ways to watch the film at home.
The home release often included bonus features. These extras showed behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with the cast and crew.
Frequently Asked Questions
The 2019 film Rocketman tells the story of Elton John’s life. It covers his music, relationships, and struggles with fame. The movie got good reviews and praise for its acting and music.
Who is part of the cast for the 2019 film Rocketman?
Taron Egerton plays Elton John in the lead role. Jamie Bell acts as Bernie Taupin, Elton’s longtime songwriting partner. Richard Madden plays John Reid, Elton’s manager and lover. Bryce Dallas Howard takes on the role of Sheila, Elton’s mother.
Can the film Rocketman be streamed on Netflix?
Rocketman is not on Netflix. It can be rented or bought on other streaming platforms. These include Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, and Google Play.
Is the portrayal in the film Rocketman considered historically accurate?
The movie takes some creative freedoms with Elton John’s life story. It mixes fact and fantasy to create a musical experience. Some events are changed or combined for dramatic effect. But the main points of Elton’s life and career are shown accurately.
What is the plot of the 2019 movie Rocketman?
Rocketman follows Elton John’s life from his childhood to his rise to fame. It shows his struggles with addiction and sexuality. The film covers his partnership with Bernie Taupin and his breakthrough as a musician. It uses Elton’s songs to tell his story in a musical format.
What ratings did the film Rocketman receive on Rotten Tomatoes?
Rocketman got good scores on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics gave it a high rating, praising the acting and music. Audiences also liked the movie. The exact scores may have changed since the film’s release.
Did Taron Egerton perform his own singing in the movie Rocketman?
Yes, Taron Egerton did his own singing in Rocketman. He performed all of Elton John’s songs in the movie. Egerton’s singing got a lot of praise from critics and viewers. His voice sounds similar to Elton’s but with its own style.
