Rocketman (2019 film)
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Rocketman is a 2019 film and biopic of the musician Elton John. Taron Egertson stars as Elton John; Bryce Dallas Howard and Richard Madden also perform as the senior Sheila Dwight and John Reid respectively.
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As an orchestral version of "Goodbye, Yellow Brick Road" plays, Elton John checks himself into rehab. He talks about his various addictions: drugs, alcohol, and shopping. To truly get clean of the drugs, however, Elton needs to dive deep, and remember where he started.
A young Reggie Dwight demonstrates a love for music, and a desire for affection from his parents. The two bicker all the time, but his grandmother supports Reggie's ambitions by getting him into a music school. As the years pass, Reggie keeps shredding on the piano and winning over patrons. Manager Ray Williams at DJM Records introduces him to Bernie Taupin, a lyricist in need of melodies. The two may be the dream team, but Reggie's sexuality-- and his desire to be loved for who he is-- get challenged as he becomes the next professional singer, and a manager named John Reid with ulterior motives steals his heart.
- Adult Fear:
- Reggie suffers the brunt of his parents' fighting, as well as their collective emotional abuse. When he catches Sheila cheating on Stan, it's a relief that Fred ends up being a better parent than his own biological ones.
- Sheila has one sympathetic moment when Elton tries drowning himself in his swimming pool. She calls out, "Baby!" in utter terror on seeing her only child attempt suicide.
- John Reid goes from treating Elton like a king tot battering him around and driving him from gig to gig. He even makes Elton come out to his mother and smacks him for having a breakdown.
- Anguished Declaration of Love: Elton makes one to Bernie while at the peak of his addictions. He doesn't outright say it but shouts that he needed Bernie, who wasn't there for him. Bernie takes a moment and tells Elton he knows what to do before walking out. This conversation motivates Elton to check himself into rehab.
- Domestic Abuse: A rare male-on-male example. John Reid seems to be nice and charming enough when he first meets Elton, but soon starts controlling his life as soon as Elton signs the contract to make him manager.
- Earn Your Happy Ending: As Elton John fans may know, Elton did eventually become clean, properly break up with John, and start writing songs with Bernie again. (He's still a shopaholic, though no one is perfect.) Elton also found love with his husband David Furnish, and has started a global AIDS charity organization.
- Good Parents: While Sheila and Stan aren't winning any prizes for parent of the year, Fred is a great stepfather to Reggie. He's constantly supportive of the latter's ambitions. On learning that his stepson is into rock music, he gifts him some vinyls and says that if he wants to be a rock star, he needs the right look for it.
- Meaningful Rename: Examined. Reggie changes his stage name to Elton John because he doesn't want to have associations with the "fat kid" who will never be loved, especially when growing up with his mother. Bernie tells Elton that he knows who he is, and doesn't need to hide under a moniker.
- Unlimited Wardrobe: Once Elton starts raking in the funds and brands on his "stolen car" look, he starts showing up in various different outfits. The Where Are They Now? Epilogue shows photo evidence that the movie replicated most of the costumes from real life, even if changing the contexts for some.