"Rocketman"

For the first time in well over a month, we took ourselves out to the movie theater today and took in "Rocketman", the biopic about Elton John starring Taron Edgerton as Elton John and directed by Dexter Fletcher.

All about the upbringing of young piano prodigy Reginald Dwight at the hands of two cold and unfeeling parents.  How he managed to cross paths with lyricist Bernie Taupin (Jamie Bell), come to terms with his sexuality, and deal with the wretched excesses, i.e., drugs and alcohol, of his chosen profession, while fashioning a career as one of the major and most important rock and roll talents of the last fifty years.

The way that the songs of Elton John are presented and woven into the story makes this more of a "musical movie" than a mere filming of "Elton John's Greatest Hits."  Very well done and presented.  Great performance by Edgerton, who does his own singing in the movie, and costuming, as you might expect in a movie about Elton John, that is unbelievable.  The budget for eyeglasses frames alone could probably put a kid through college.

Other items if interest:  John's mother is played by Bryce Dallas Howard, the daughter of director Ron Howard.  The "Music Producer" of this movie is Giles Martin, the son of the legendary George Martin, and Elton John himself is listed as Executive Producer on the film.

Oh, and be sure and stay to see the photos that are shown over the closing credits.

I enjoyed it a lot, and Mrs. Grandstander "loved it" (a direct quote).

A solid Three Stars from The Grandstander.