Rocketman

    The past several months I have watched a lot of Bohemian Rhapsody.  I mean A LOT.  Nearly every time it is on, I watch some part of it.  Each time, I wonder when Rocketman is going to begin airing on regular cable.  So far, I have been unable to find it.  Which is why I decided to get it from the library and watch it for a second time on DVD.  I did a short review about Rocketman before, but I always felt it deserved a longer one.  Here it is.

    Reginald “Reggie” Dwight (Matthew Illesley) has a talent no one expects.  He can play the piano by ear after hearing something only once.  It is a talent his grandmother, Ivy (Gemma Jones), wants encouraged with piano lessons.  Reginald’s mother, Sheila (Bryce Dallas Howard), agrees.  Not out of care for her son.  But because it will keep Reggie out of her hair.  This attitude from Sheila should not come as too much of a surprise.  This was the woman who threw Reggie’s dinner into the trash because he was late coming home.             

    Sheila is not alone in her dislike for her son.  Reggie’s father, Stanley (Steven Mackintosh), doesn’t want anything to do with him either.  It’s a good thing Ivy is around.  Otherwise, Reggie would have no one.

    As Reggie’s (Kit Connor) ability grows, he is encouraged to try out for the Royal Academy of Music.  His piano teacher believes he could earn a scholarship.  Sheila likes the thought of being attached to something royal, and agrees he should try out, but she won’t take him.  Stanley is critical of the thought, then uninterested.  Once again it is Ivy who helps move Reggie’s life forward.  She takes him to the audition, where he impresses.

    During his time at the academy, Reggie discovers his mother is involved with another man.  His father moves out of the house, and in comes Fred (Tom Bennett).  Fred is the one who gives Reggie an Elvis Presley record.  This record leads to a desire for an Elvis haircut.  And off Reggie goes on the path to where one day he will be known as Elton John.

Space Travel/Artwork by Kate Dorsey

    At first Reggie (Taron Egerton) plays in restaurants alone.  He then joins a band that does backup for touring American singing groups.  It is on this tour Reggie’s life really begins to change.  He is kissed by a man for the first time.  He also decides to change his name to Elton John.

    While the Elton part of his name came from a bandmate of Reggie’s, the John was added on the fly as he sat in a record producer’s office.  He sees a picture of John Lennon, and decides to make that part of his name.

    The music producer is impressed with Elton’s musical ability.  He tells Elton to come back to him once he has worked with a set of lyrics.  The lyrics he wants Elton to work with are pulled from a pile of envelopes and folders, pretty much at random.  The lyrics Elton is given are written by Bernie Taupin (Jamie Bell).

    Elton and Bernie hit it off from the start.  They work together.  They live together.  When Elton reveals he is gay, their friendship grows stronger.  For Bernie it doesn’t matter Elton’s sexual orientation.  Even after Elton makes a move on him and Bernie explains he doesn’t feel the same, they are still friends.  Although, Bernie does advise Elton to tell his girlfriend about his sexuality.  She does not react well.  As Elton’s girlfriend was also their landlady, Elton and Bernie are forced to move in with Sheila and Fred.

    Eventually, Elton and Bernie have a song the music producers think will be a hit.  To try it out, Elton and Bernie are sent to Los Angeles.

    Elton is very nervous to perform in L.A.  He becomes especially so after hearing the Beach Boys will be in the audience.  His nervousness is to the point Elton does not want to go on stage.  But he does, and he is a hit.

    After the performance, Elton and Bernie are invited to a party.  Bernie goes off with a woman, leaving Elton on his own.  It is at this moment Elton meets John Reid (Richard Madden).

    Reid becomes Elton’s boyfriend.  Or at least as much of a boyfriend Reid will let himself be.  He is not at all faithful.  Frequently disappears on Elton.  Certainly does not treat Elton well.  Yet, is still somehow Elton’s manager.

    During his time with Reid, Elton becomes addicted to drugs, alcohol, and shopping.  After a health emergency, Elton finally decides to get help with his addictions. 

    Bernie visits Elton in rehab, letting him know he is waiting for him on the other side.  The same person who has always been there.  Through the good and the bad.  Even when there seemed to be no one who cared.

    Rocketman is set up like a stage musical.  Different Elton John songs are sung by different cast members throughout.  The song sung depends on what is going on at the time.  It is done in such a way I could easily see this story moving to the stage.  Not much would have to change.  I think it would be great to see as a Broadway show.

    As for the characters in this film, there are a lot I want to kick some sense into.  Elton’s parents especially.  They are cold and cruel throughout his entire life.  Mean to him one minute, using him the next.  Then there was Sheila telling Elton he would never be loved properly because he is gay.  It was a horrible thing to say, and absolutely infuriating to hear.  Sadly, I have a feeling there are a lot of people in the LGBTQ+ community who have heard this type of statement.  And far too many who will hear it in the future.

    This comment is what seems to lead Elton directly into Reid’s arms.  A man who is unfaithful right in front of Elton’s eyes.  In Elton’s own home, on top of it.  Never did Reid care about Elton.  Only what he could get out of him.

    Then there was the record producer (not the one who initially discovered him) who said Elton could never be a success because of his look (this was before the costumes Elton John became known for).  The man went so far as to say Bernie should be the one singing, despite his complete inability to do so.  He then threw out song after song, saying how horrible they were.  This treatment of Elton and Bernie definitely made me wonder about the music industry.  Does everyone in the industry act this way?  Do they lose their humanity when they enter the business?  Or does that happen when they move up the ranks?  I can only hope there are some producers and executives who treat people far better than Elton and Bernie were treated.

    I am happy to say, Elton does come out the other side, with Bernie next to him.  Because this film is about a real man.  His life story.  One with a good friend by his side the entire way.