I used to know very little about Elton John, but this movie changed that, and I found a new love for him. The movie shows very real parts of his life and never really held back from showing what he did throughout his life.
This film was great for many reasons, but certain scenes made it what it was, and what makes this movie great is that:
It’s raw and real, nothing is sugarcoated.
https://www.instagram.com/p/ByI4-PnDMCJ/
Without spoiling the movie too much, it starts and ends with him in what appears to be rehab, and in a meeting for those who suffer from substance misuse. It then shows him when he was using, and how it made him forget so much, and literally skip days because of how messed up he was.
It showed Elton using, it showed him attempting to kill himself, and it captured him overdosing. Nothing was hidden, the film showed exactly what Elton went through, and how he got through it.
It shows his struggles with substance abuse, and that no matter who said what, it took until he wanted a change for him to get help.
https://www.pexels.com/photo/alcohol-bar-black-background-close-up-602750/-
It showed Bernie, his mother, his boyfriend, and others all speaking up about his lack of sobriety, but it wasn't until the end of the movie when something inside of him finally clicked that he wanted to get help, he didn't want that lifestyle anymore.
Sure, they all could have maybe done more, but it was Elton who needed to realize he needed help, and once he did he went and got the help he needed, and has remained sober for 28 years now.
It captures very real friendships/ relationships that contribute to who Elton is today.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BxhnQwqDtKv/
You often hear that the people you hang around help make you who you are, and for Elton, this seems very true. His childhood seemed slightly lonely where his friend was the piano, and he leaned on that piano to create a future for himself.
The grandmother helped allow him to use his talent by taking him to the music academy. The mom had an affair and was always out on dates, not really paying him too much attention, and the dad completely ignored him and was for the most part not in his life. Later on, when he met Bernie I think that he was the first great influence, he supported Elton through identifying himself as gay, and through all of his performances, he created his music and allowed him to grow.
It emphasizes originality and shows that anything is possible, no matter where you grow up.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BxPzAyqhrpq/
The movie showed Elton's childhood, the lack of a father figure growing up, and the lack of compassion from his mother. He didn't seem to be rich, but he had a love for music that he never gave up on. He never let fear take over, and he always pushed himself. He found his voice with the help of Bernie and created an image that seemed to represent him in a creative way that is what he felt he needed to gain attention.
At one point in the movie, he says that maybe he shouldn't have been so original, but if he wasn't would he still be the man he is today?
