The night that Elton John made his American debut at the Troubadour Club in Los Angeles is often cited as one of those seminal occasions when the tumblers all fell into place for a star in the making.

As depicted in “Rocketman”, Elton John’s star is on the rise that night as he levitates at the piano and his audience responds in kind by rising “off their feet”.  It’s a scene which typifies this highly entertaining and quirky film.

“Rocketman” is more fantastical than factual.  But, it works.

The bespectacled, flamboyant and often self destructive pop star is portrayed by British actor Taron Egerton. No overdubbing here. Egerton provides his own vocals to this depiction. It’s a performance that, no doubt, will be remembered when award season rolls around again.

Elton John debuted at The Troubadour on a Tuesday night, the 25th of August, 1970.  The audience of 300 included a mix of music industry movers and shakers and recording stars.  Quincy Jones, Gordon Lightfoot, Linda Ronstadt, Leon Russell and Brian Wilson and Mike Love of The Beach Boys were all in the house that night. Neil Diamond stepped onstage to introduce this relative unknown. They were all there to see if this new kid from England was capable of taking that next and very big step. He did.

“Rocketman” is an impressionistic “no holds barred”appraisal of the life and times of one of popular musics most compelling performers and most mercurial personalities.

This movie is a wild and crazy ride depicting a wild and crazy life.  Ultimately, it is a story of survival which this fan of the movies found to be well worth the price of admission.