Final Ruling: Rocketman is gay on a macro level, with a globally gay sensibility and a lot of platform boots. But Rocketman punches up that transition between low point and high for maximum drama — and, not coincidentally, caps it all off with the film’s title song. Rocket Man … Like Mama Mia, the songs in Rocketman are employed to move the plot from one scene to the next. The next number, "I Want Love," is performed by Kit Connor as a young Reggie Dwight, with Bryce Dallas Howard as his mother, Sheila; Steven Mackintosh as his father, Stanley, and Gemma Jones as his nan, Ivy. Here's every one. Rocketman is a 2019 biographical musical film based on the life of British musician Elton John.Directed by Dexter Fletcher and written by Lee Hall, it stars Taron Egerton as Elton John, with Jamie Bell as Bernie Taupin, Richard Madden as John Reid, and Bryce Dallas Howard as Sheila Eileen, John's mother. Becky has been writing for Screen Rant since 2014. There are times when he sounds like himself. The forthcoming Elton John biopic recounts the legendary star’s rise to fame, but what Elton John songs are in the ‘Rocketman’ film? Rocketman features a harrowing scene where Elton, high on drugs following an all-night and day cocaine binge, tried to take his own life in front of everyone at his own house party. It serves as the perfect introduction to the movie and the central character. In one scene, the pair clash when Taupin questions John's penchant for wearing outrageous costumes, and John retaliates by screaming in Taupin's face and storming off (though he does immediately return to apologize). Another particularly bad example is John's "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" duet with Kiki Dee, which is actually from 1976. “We just had enough sunlight to make it … His movie counterpart displays basically none of those things, and the movie even downplays his famous ear for a hit — when John tries to play some of his future classics to him, the movie version of James scoffs at each and every one of them. While “Rocketman” doesn’t skimp on illustrating accomplishments, it often overstates them. When John starts to gush over Taupin's lyrics, the latter discovers to his horror that he had inadvertently included a text called "Border Song" in the file he'd sent to the record company. The two started feuding in 2008, in the aftermath of John shuffling his organization and cutting ties with several old employees, including manager John Reid and personal assistant Bob Halley. Dramatic scenes turn into song-and-dance numbers, using Bernie Taupin’s emotional lyrics to perfect effect. tunefind. Sometimes she does other things, like working as a fitness instructor or taking pictures of her cats, and she attempts to raise three children. White's sickness and untimely death made John realize what a mess his life had become, and the artist says knowing White and his family was a deciding factor in his resolution to get sober. 31 May 2019; 42 songs; Follow. While they never had a hit that would have propelled them to stardom, some of their songs did receive radio airplay, and they got to play some of London's biggest venues opening for acts such as the Animals and Beatles. In a behind-the-scenes video about the filming of the movie, the actor is seen singing "Tiny Dancer." What Elton John Songs Are In The Rocketman Trailer? As the Irish Examiner tells us, John considers the fact that they've never had an argument an important and wondrous part of the pair's relationship, and the movie doubles down on this message by straight up stating it twice. The song ends with him rocking the house while fronting his 1960s band, Bluesology. While those who have paid attention to gossip within the last decade may be aware that John has indeed had his share of issues with his mother, Smooth Radio notes they appear to be far more recent than the movie's timeline. The pair begin to work together in the same unusual style they hold to this day; Bernie writes lyrics and sends them to Elton, who sets them to music. Her kindness shines through, and the pair sing "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me." Enter Bernie Taupin (Bell). Instead of trying to realistically portray Elton John's life between his childhood and sobriety, it opts for brushstrokes that are as broad as they come. “I Want Love” would not be written for another 45 years, of course. Told in a series of flashbacks framed by an Alcoholic's Anonymous meeting, Rocketman is absolutely packed full of Elton John hits. Helmed by British actor/director Dexter Fletcher and starring Taron Egerton of the Kingsman film series, Rocketman tells John's life through his songs. Add time. Fear not, though. Although he was definitely the businessman of the duo, his relationship with Elton John was not exactly that of a struggling, abused artist and a villainous, calculating manager. Rocketman quite correctly tells us that Bernie Taupin has been a constant presence in Elton John's life, but when it comes to the actual timeline of their meeting, the waters get a little muddy. In all fairness, though, the American musicians may be intended as composite characters that combine all the great artists Bluesology worked with. A large pool party scene was filmed on location at a London home, with palm trees brought in to make it look like California. "Amoreena" plays over a montage of the pair heading to the U.S.; a hugely exciting moment for both in the early part of their career. In its climax, the movie also heavily insinuates that the anthemic "I'm Still Standing" (1983) was the first song Elton wrote after getting sober in the early 1990s. Reid literally enters the studio to prey on Elton as they're recording it. Although he ultimately displays some symptoms of a golden heart when it becomes evident that John and Bernie Taupin have some legitimately great tunes in their back pocket, he still spends the majority of his screen time insulting every other character in the room. While by no means as egregious as the aforementioned Bohemian Rhapsody, the movie is oddly full of characters and moments that are so far removed from their real counterparts that they might as well be completely fictional. According to Ultimate Classic Rock, the real John theatrically announced to his friends and family, "I have taken 85 Valiums. Because of her nasty comments about John's sexuality, fame, and many personal issues, their relationship is cordial at best and strained to the point of breaking at worst. Without going into details, let's just say the movie features a scene where the title is taken extremely literally. While the factual events were there, psychedelic fantasy was also incorporated into the storytelling. Taron Egerton as Elton John in the music biopic 'Rocketman.' FALSE. As Rocketman enters its second act, John Reid is introduced. Rocketman features a harrowing scene where Elton, high on drugs following an all-night and day cocaine binge, tried to take his own life in front of everyone at his own house party. It … Les Patineurs Written by Emil Waldteufel Arranged by Ben Foster Produced by Giles Martin. The musical fantasy sequence takes us on a chase through the streets and out into a field where a fairground has pitched. Rocketman also isn’t afraid to radically reimagine songs and arrangements (the 2001 single “I Want Love,” for example, is sung by young Reg, his mom, father, and grandmother). "Rocketman" is perhaps the most moving song of all; Elton takes an overdose of pills, cocaine, and alcohol before trying to drown himself in his pool while all his family are present. Times when he sounds like a hybrid of John and him. There's a framing device at the heart of Rocketman that allows the Pinner prodigy's story to be told in warts n' all detail. When Elton attempts to break his hold, Reid coldly taunts him with ironclad contracts and absolute contempt. Reid became Elton John's manager and also his first lover. All the latest gaming news, game reviews and trailers. While the movie Williams was a punk kid who met young John at a large office that actually belonged to his boss, Dick James (who promptly entered in the middle of the meeting and unleashed a barrage of sarcasm at his underling), the real man was the head of artists and repertoire for Liberty Records when John came knocking. Their wedding is shown, followed by a pointed shot of the pair emerging from different bedrooms in the morning. While sticking to the truth and taking unexplained creative liberties to tell a gist of the story is something with which older biopics like Gandhi (1982) … Reggie is now an adult, and the vocals are taken over by Taron Egerton. The go-to source for comic book and superhero movie fans. Elaborately choreographed musical numbers drive the plot forward and portray the most important beats of John's life via song and dance, with few restraints as to how unrealistic things are going to get. We can literally move the music up as he sinks to the bottom.” Advertisement The dreamy fantasy sequence required director Dexter Fletcher to set … Plot Summary: A musical fantasy about the fantastical human story of Elton John’s breakthrough years. “Rocketman” feels, in part, like Fletcher’s effort to prove what he could do with a musical biography from scratch. Instead of placing the chronologically right Elton John song at the right moment, it opts for the dramatic route and cherry-picks the hits it feels it needs to drive the plot forward. She also has a deep affection for Netflix Marvel shows, movies and TV shows that focus on character, and pretty much anything that represents quality British movies or TV programs. Ray Fisher Says Losing Cyborg Role is Worth Bringing Down DC Films President. Which is somewhat ironic, because the Rocketman versions of John and Taupin spend several scenes arguing, whining and lashing out at each other. After overdosing on Valium, Elton showed up by the pool and declared he was going to die, before jumping into the water. Toggle navigation. Desperate to make it as a rock and roll singer, Elton, as he is now known, plays the piano for a record executive, and there's a momentary burst of "Candle In The Wind," before he says he can't manage to write any lyrics. The audience floating scene alone is worth the price of admission. This full song and dance number is performed by Taron Egerton and Sebastian Rich, starting with Elton in rehab. They fit the story surprisingly well, with none of the desperate shoe-horning normally associated with jukebox musicals. Rocketman reimagines Reid as a suave, calculating monster who Richard Madden (another Game of Thrones alum) plays as an emotionless business beast who is half James Bond, half Bond villain. Having finally decided that enough is enough, the weary John had stormed out of the building, leaving his menagerie of handlers behind and making a beeline for a cleaner life. If you or anyone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). While they did eventually part ways on bad terms, The Telegraph reports this was because John had started to suspect Reid was abusing his funds and took his longtime manager to court. Find all 42 songs in Rocketman Soundtrack, with scene descriptions. Well, he's getting the Prenter treatment in this one. “When Elton comes out onto the stage, we go from him feeling unloved and detached to suddenly having thousands of adoring fans singing along with him. It's incredibly sad, and the way the resulting hospital scene is played out is … Just-Elton-So-Far quickly solves the problem when he spots a picture of the Beatles, which of course implies that the "John" comes from John Lennon. There follows an epic fantasy sequence, with Egerton and Madden duetting on "Honky Cat." In the beginning of the movie, Elton John storms into rehab wearing an elaborate, winged devil costume. Becky also works as a theater critic, and divides her time between watching theater, movies, and TV. The first time he takes to the stage at the Troubadour, Elton sings "Crocodile Rock." Unfortunately, it doesn't quite fit a real-world timeline, unless someone at the table has access to a time machine. Bluesology spent some time as a backing band for Baldry, who became something of a mentor figure to his young organist. This makes it seem like Elton was the frontman for Bluesology (as Ultimate Classic Rock will tell you, he was actually just the organist), and it's extremely easy for a casual viewer to think that "Saturday Night" was a Bluesology song. For one, he had already worked for a popular music TV show and as a press agent for high-profile artists like Sonny & Cher and the Kinks, so instead of the snot-nosed kid depicted in the movie, he was an industry veteran. “A good example in ‘Rocketman’ is the scene when he falls into the swimming pool. Bluesology's stint as a backup band to the Americans took place in 1965, and John didn't even meet Taupin until two years later, by which point the band was backing the extremely British Long John Baldry full time. Add scene. One of Rocketman's most powerful moments is a scene based on Elton John's real-life 1975 suicide attempt. Rocketman Scene by Scene Breakdown By John Klein GoIntoTheStory.com. NASA is training for the first human mission to Mars by the spacecraft … And then there are those golden moments when you’re looking at Egerton and hearing the purest echoes of Elton’s voice: e.g. Unfortunately, Rocketman chooses to pretend Baldry didn't exist in more ways than one. We see him performing "Benny and the Jets" before he meets Renata in a recording studio. However, he's still not given the support he needs, and is instead forced out onto stage despite being dangerously addicted to many substances. Performed by Elvis Presley on the television program "Stage Show (1954)" Courtesy of the Jackie Gleason Enterprises LLC But all the Elton John songs are instantly recognizable and enjoyable. The film follows John in his early days in England as a prodigy at the … It didn't exactly open the pearly gates for the pair, but hey, everyone needs to pay their dues. Find out here. As a neat twist, the costume is ultimately revealed to be his stage outfit for a major concert at Madison Square Garden. Rock star biopics aren't exactly known for their historical accuracy, but Rocketman avoids a lot of Bohemian Rhapsody's pitfalls by specifically setting out to be an "epic musical fantasy" that's not meant to be particularly true to life. ‘Rocketman’ Music Producer Giles Martin on Making Elton John’s Classics Blast Off Again The 22-song soundtrack album is "new arrangements, new versions, a … Remember John Reid, the nice manager guy in Bohemian Rhapsody? The number has an art deco theme to it as Elton acquires cars, clothes, houses, and lots of alcohol and drugs, and it's a standout moment of the movie. Honestly, there were parts that made me want to give this movie 5 stars, and they're completely what prevents this movie from being trash. Movie: Rocketman (2019) info with movie soundtracks, credited songs, film score albums, reviews, news, and more. 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