The time frame of the movie 'Rocketman' - the Elton John biopic ends at the time that I also discovered him as a 13-year old kid.
'I'm Still Standing' which is in the movie - was released in 1983, but I learned about him because of 'Sad Songs'. He went on to have several Top 10 songs in the US - and I'm glad he took to rehab because if he didn't, he would've been dead at that time - a fate many celebrities have suffered (Amy Winehouse, Kurt Cobain, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston).
The drug-taking, alcoholic rock and roll star has really become cliche but it's still sad to see such talented people die because of their addiction.
That is just one part of the movie. If you are planning to compare it with Bohemian Rhapsody - you'd be surprised to find out that both movies were done by the same director - Dexter Fletcher. Fletcher finished the movie when the studio fired Bryan Singer.
All I can say though for comparison is that Rocketman has more heart than Bohemian Rhapsody. I guess because Elton John is an executive producer here, and he is still alive, so he can say what scenes can be placed in and what scenes should be cut.
Freddie Mercury is already dead and I don't think his bandmates would want to muddy his reputation by emphasizing the drug taking, sex orgies, alcoholism part of his life. That's why the movie did not focus on those negatives but instead, celebrated his music!
And the world responded with a 900 million dollar box-office!
Rocketman is R-13 and since it has overt gay scenes, it may not be screened in many countries that are not gay friendly including big markets like China.
Otherwise, both movies are crowd pleasers and their fans should be very happy with the resulting films.
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