Laura Wise

All I can say is damn!! Well, that's not all I can say...I have loved Elton John since I was in the 7th grade, 1974. I had every album to date. Being very young it really was all about the music. It wasn't until I got a little older that his showmanship started to be a real factor. Like a lot of people, his (and Bernie's) music was the backdrop of my late childhood through early adulthood. I remember being beyond jealous when he got married the first time and of Kiki Dee when Don't Go Braking My Heart came out. I took 3rd place in my Junior high schools art contest with my portrait of Elton taken from the Rock of the Westies album cover. I WAS Island Girl. All of that said, this movie drags out every emotion known. Sheer Joy/bliss, whenever he performed, especially at the school of music scene and when he and Bernie stayed with his mom for a while. The theatre was packed for a Saturday afternoon. You could not only hear gutteral sounds when appropriate for the scene, you could actually feel them. Heartbreaking, joyous, congratulatory, karma moments, ect., ect. I did a little research to see if I could find moments of truth vs. creative license. I found a website that gives 10 examples. 5 pretty much spot on and 5 that were for the fluidity of the movie. To say I was waiting for the release date is an understatement and I was not disappointed. It just so happens I am a fan of musicals done right, and this set the bar far beyond what could ever be realized again. It deserves the top spot and it's a shame at the same time...I will have to see it again just to be able to see what I missed when hit with the many shock and awe moments! Elton, I'll love you forever and to the cast, everyone of you, from the bottom of my heart, thank you!! My jaw dropped when he did Crocodile Rock and his legs levitated. That was a spot on moment!! Without a doubt, the director and cast will be walking away with every award imaginable. My hats off to each and every one of you.