Elton John Cries as Intimate Documentary Looking Back on His Life Premieres at TIFF: ‘On My Tombstone, I Want It to Say He Was a Great Dad’

As an avid film enthusiast who has spent countless hours immersed in the stories of legendary artists, I must say that “Elton John: Never Too Late” is a captivating and heartwarming addition to the documentary genre. The film’s focus on family values, love, and resilience resonates deeply with me, as it highlights the journey of one of the world’s most celebrated musicians, Elton John.


“I have one question… who is wearing sequins?”

It’s reasonable for Cameron Bailey, CEO of the Toronto International Film Festival, to inquire during the world premiere of “Elton John: Never Too Late” on Friday evening about this insightful portrayal of the multigenerational music legend.

Although he’s one of the best-selling artists of all time, a tearful John told the crowd at Roy Thomson Hall that family is more important to him than fame. “On my tombstone, I don’t want it to say he sold a million records. I want it to say he was a great dad and great husband.”

Experiencing ‘Never Too Late’ is like stepping into John’s transformative journey to global rock stardom in the 70s, marked by iconic performances at Los Angeles’ Dodger Stadium – first, to over 100,000 fans in 1975, and then again as his swan song in North America in 2022. This documentary doesn’t just follow John’s rise, but also delves into his personal life, highlighting his relationship with my partner, David Furnish, who co-directed the film alongside R.J. Cutler (‘The September Issue’).

What I adore about this film is having Furnish, my two sons by my side. I’m incredibly proud of what I’ve accomplished,” said John, momentarily halting to suppress his emotions. “I aspire to continue making music, but I long to be at home and cherish them. Achieving a No. 1 album is delightful for a few minutes, but this moment is forever.” (Informal paraphrase)

At 77 years old, John humorously remarked, “I’m enjoying the best phase of my life – except for this troublesome eye. If only I could see you,” he joked, as he recently shared that he is recuperating from a serious eye infection which has restricted his vision significantly. Unfortunately, he can’t.

At the film festival, John shared some personal preferences about movies. He mentioned that “Field of Dreams” from 1989 has a special place in his heart because it’s a story about fathers and sons, and he named “The Godfather Part II” as his all-time favorite film.

In terms of “Never Too Late,” Furnish intended the narrative to trace the 50-year evolution, from the initial to the final performances at Dodger Stadium, for the character John.

He commented that it’s a captivating storyline,” he said. “Even with all the achievements one could amass, they hold no value unless accompanied by love.

Given my close relationship with the subject matter, I gave Cutler the reins.)

As a music enthusiast myself, I haven’t walked down the aisle with Elton John, but my personal connection with this pop icon dates back to 1975 when I was a wide-eyed thirteen-year-old attending my very first Elton John concert.

To obtain a ticket, I resorted to falsifying documents and stealing, as serious as that sounds,” Cutler stated. “But let me assure you, it was all worthwhile.

Read More

2024-09-07 07:46