With hit tunes, a plot about one of the world’s best known performers and flamboyant costumes, “Rocketman” brings Elton John’s story to the big screen, the latest musical biopic offering a concert-like experience at the cinema.
“Kingsman” actor Taron Egerton stars as the “Your Song” and “Tiny Dancer” hit maker, belting out John’s songs as he revisits the singer’s road to success as well as his personal struggles.
The film, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival with John present, has drawn comparisons to last year’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” about rockers Queen’s stratospheric rise to fame.
That movie, which received mixed reviews, won a best actor Oscar for Rami Malek and grossed $903 million worldwide – a sign of audiences’ appetite for seeing their icons’ story and music on the silver screen.
“I am very grateful that people compare us and hopefully it shows that there is an appetite for movies of this nature,” Egerton said of the two films at Cannes.
Music biopics have long been a popular genre but what distinguishes this “new wave” is the artist’s involvement and music catalog to create concert-like scenes, said Scott Roxborough, European bureau chief for The Hollywood Reporter.
