The Most Surprising Moments in Elton John: Never Too Late

As a cinephile with over three decades of movie-watching under my belt, I must say that Elton John: Never Too Late is a captivating journey through the highs and lows of one of music’s most iconic figures. The film’s raw honesty and emotional depth are unparalleled, making it a must-see for any fan or casual observer of pop culture history.

In an outstanding manner, even stronger than before, Elton John continues to stand tall in his captivating new documentary, “Elton John: Never Too Late“, offering a retrospective on the ups and downs of the artist’s 50-year-long music career.

On December 13th, Disney+ will debut a documentary titled “Elton John: The Last Waltz.” This film incorporates previously unseen footage, personal diaries, and audio interviews for Elton’s memoir “Me,” as well as animations that bring to life his recollections. Directed by David Furnish, who also produced the 2019 biopic “Rocketman,” and R.J. Cutler (“The September Issue”), this movie chronicles the final concerts of the Grammy-winning artist in America, culminating with a November 20, 2022, performance at the Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles.

The movie makers aim to convey, through depicting Elton John’s journey from battling drug addiction, recovering from abuse, and establishing a family, that it’s always possible for people seeking change in their lives to find inspiration. As the title Never Too Late suggests, the film’s message is that there’s no time limit on making life-altering decisions, according to Cutler’s statement to TIME.

Here’s a look at some of the most memorable moments from the film:

A history of abuse

Elton characterizes his parents as physically abusive. During his potty-training phase and even on public streets, he experienced physical punishments.

From a young age, he had the gift of being able to hear a tune and then play it on the piano. His father hated rock ‘n’ roll and so he set out to prove him wrong. He enrolled in the Royal Academy of Music, and started a band called Bluesology. In the late 60s, he answered an ad for Liberty Records, which was looking for songwriters, and met his longtime collaborator Bernie Taupin. As a way to distance himself from his abusive childhood, he stopped going by his birth name Reginald Kenneth Dwight, and started going by Elton John. His father never saw him perform.

Elton claims that during their relationship from 1970 to 1975, his former manager and lover John Reid physically abused him. Once, Reid struck him so forcefully in the face that cuts appeared on his facial skin, causing his nose to bleed.

As I step onto the stage, I find a unique way to soar above the shadows of my past. In the movie, music is not just a passion but a form of intimacy I call “my sex,” an escape that allows me to flee from reality. On stage, I’ve always chosen to keep my personal life private, letting the melodies and rhythm do the talking instead.

His friendship with John Lennon

The film dives deep into Elton’s friendship with another legendary British rock star, John Lennon.

Elton reminisces about an occasion when he and John Lennon were consuming “large quantities” of cocaine in a hotel room, at which point Andy Warhol came knocking on the door.

The movie contains clips showing John Lennon unexpectedly joining Elton John during his Thanksgiving performance at Madison Square Garden on November 28, 1974. Together, they sang “Whatever Gets You Through the Night.

Yoko Ono, Lennon’s former partner and renowned artist, was present in the crowd. Following the performance, John Lennon rekindled his relationship with Yoko. Later on, Elton became the godfather to their son, Sean.

1974 marked the final significant live performance by the Beatles at their Thanksgiving show. Tragically, he was gunned down in New York City on December 8, 1980.

Desperate to settle down

In a 1976 interview with Rolling Stone, a revelation that left me quite astonished about my beloved Elton was unearthed. He candidly confessed his yearning for love, his desire to settle down, and his wish to start a family, expressing these feelings so poignantly. Interestingly, he also hinted at being open to relationships with anyone, regardless of gender, by stating, “I haven’t met anybody that I would like to settle down with — of either sex.

In 1990, Elton turned sober at the age of 43. He remarked in the documentary that it took him 43 years to figure out how to operate as an ordinary person, instead of a rock star.

Initially, when Furnish came across Elton John, it appeared as though his music career left little room for parenthood. Moreover, the 1997 documentary titled “Elton John: Tantrums and Tiaras” (directed by Furnish) created a widespread image of the rock star being quick-tempered. However, as Furnish explains to TIME, “Regrettably, it linked Elton with tantrums and the idea that he would fly into a rage at any moment. In reality, there were no tantrums during the filming process.

The movie “Elton John: Never Too Late” underscores that what brings peace to Elton is his marriage to Furnish and their two children, Zachary and Elijah. Throughout the film, Elton is portrayed as a loving father, making time for his sons’ phone calls and inquiring about their school day experiences.

As a film enthusiast, I’ve never experienced such joy as I am feeling now. This sentiment was expressed by me at the premiere of this remarkable film on September 24th, held in Manhattan, where I had the privilege of performing “Tiny Dancer.” You see, music alone wasn’t enough to fulfill me; it was only when I found love and became a parent that I truly felt whole. In essence, I discovered my own version of utopia. If you hold onto a little faith, I believe anyone can reach this blissful state.

2024-12-14 00:07