Friday, June 20, 2008

Captain Fantastic

Author(s): Pat
Location: NY

"Captain Fantastic"

Directed by Mike Newell
Written by Peter Morgan
Music by Elton John

Main Cast

Philip Seymour Hoffman (Sir Elton John)
Heath Ledger (Bernie Taupin)
Eric McCormack (David Furnish)
Eddie Izzard (George Michael)
Emma Thompson (Princess Diana)
Tracey Ullman (Renate Blauel)
Milla Jovovich (Kiki Dee)
Creed Bratton (Tim Rice)
Giancarlo Gianni (Gianni Versace)
Colin Firth (Dr. McGreevey)

Tagline: "Captain Fantastic, raised and regimented. Hardly a hero"

Synopsis: Peter Morgan scripts and Mike Newell directs a new film about one of most popular singers in history. “Captain Fantastic”, the title derived from the self proclaimed label of the John/Taupin writing team called Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy, tells the story of Elton John through many of the trials and troubles of his life after his rise to fame. The film begins in 1977 when John (Philip Seymour Hoffman) announces he will enter retirement from performances and he begins to become reclusive. After three years of this, John returns to the music scene with his writing partner Bernie Taupin (Heath Ledger) and the two continue to release hit songs, like “Little Jeannie”. But John’s successes quickly took a sharp turn when his good friend John Lennon is killed in New York City. After that John began to use cocaine and marijuana and alcohol to deal with the pain until his doctor (Colin Firth) informs him that he must undergo surgery to remove polyps from his throat. In 1984, John wed Renate Blauel (Tracey Ullman) while continuing his suspicious relationship with another singer Kiki Dee (Milla Jovovich), who he collaborated with for his hit song “Don’t Go Breakin’ My Heart”. Four years later, John announces that he is gay and we become familiar with his increasing feud with other gay pop star George Michael (Eddie Izzard) after they tour together. Finally, John finds the one man for him in David Furnish (Eric McCormack), a Canadian filmmaker who sticks by John’s side through more bad times to come. In 1994, John collaborates with Tim Rice (Creed Bratton) for “The Lion King” and makes one of his biggest successes. In the end of the film, John comes to grips with the deaths of two of his best friends, Gianni Versace (Giancarlo Gianni) and Princess Diana of Wales (Emma Thompson). “Captain Fantastic” provides a heartbreaking and moving look into the world of one of the music industry’s most successful artists, as well as humantarian and crusader against homophobia and AIDS.

What the Press would say:

“Captain Fantastic” is nothing less than fantastic. From the opening moments during a concert to the finale with Elton John’s wedding to his partner David Furnish, this film delivers in every way imaginable. Following the same path of recent hits like “Ray” and “Walk The Line”, this film incorporates musical performances interspersed throughout the narrative. Philip Seymour Hoffman takes on Elton John with an accuracy that is even better than his performance in “Capote”. Hoffman even learned piano to prepare for this role. His emotion can be felt in some scenes in the movie, like when he learns of Princess Diana’s death, so passionately that it becomes uncomfortable to watch but one can’t divert from it. Emma Thompson shines as the fated Princess who serves as a shoulder to cry on for Elton. Tracey Ullman takes a departure from her usual humor to pay the tragic woman who marries Elton John and then suffers when he announces that he is gay. Other than Hoffman who is by far the best in the film, Eddie Izzard provides a fantastic and comical performance as George Michael, the somewhat lover of the pop icon until their feud began in the early 1990s. Overall, “Captain Fantastic” takes one of the greatest musicians of all time and makes him a film icon as well.

FYC

Best Picture (should be considered in the Musical/Comedy category for GG’s)
Best Director-Mike Newell
Best Original Screenplay
Best Actor-Philip Seymour Hoffman
Best Supporting Actor-Eddie Izzard
Best Supporting Actor-Heath Ledger
Best Supporting Actress-Emma Thompson
Best Supporting Actress-Tracey Ullman
Best Original Score
Best Cinematography
Best Film Editing
Best Costume Design
Best Makeup
Best Sound Mixing

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