“Rocketman”

“History will be kind to me for I intend to write it.”   This quote Winston Churchill wrote came to mind a half hour into “Rocketman.”

I realized that the difference between this movie and “Bohemian Rhapsody” was that Elton John is still alive and Freddie Mercury of Queen was not when they made that film.  Big difference.  I wondered how involved Elton was in the making of the picture, couldn’t wait to read the credits.  Executive producer.

When in a job interview, and the company asks, “Tell us about your bad qualities,” one correct answer is, “I work too hard.”  In a biopic of a living artist, the correct answer is, “my parents didn’t really love me, then booze, drugs and sex moved in.”  I believe Elton John has a more fascinating life than the Hollywood cliche recounted in “Rocketman.”

I’m not a fan of his over the top costumes, featured throughout, and the film was very much about his struggle with homosexuality, which as his own mother told him, “frankly doesn’t interest me.”   I went to the movie for Elton’s music.  Elton John has written so much great music, I was disappointed that there wasn’t more music in it.  I’m not sure they ever played more than snippets of his music throughout, using a surreal La La Land style.

Taron Egerton was believable, also enjoyed the story about his lyricist: Elton didn’t write the words to any of his songs.  Elton is beyond talented, but as Dad would say about the musical geniuses:  “They’re all nuts.”