Cannes Goes Wild for Elton John Biopic

Elton John biopic Rocketman blasted off at the Cannes Film Festival Thursday night, receiving a standing ovation that brought star Taron Egerton and director Dexter Fletcher to tears, AFP reports. Sir Elton himself could be seen wiping away a tear as lights went down for the world premiere of the film, which was co-produced by the singer and husband David Furnish. "Even if the movie doesn't make one penny ... it is the movie I wanted to make, and that doesn’t happen often," John said at an after-party, per Deadline. He went on to perform "I'm Still Standing" and brought Egerton on for a performance of the title song.

Furnish said the movie took an honest look at John's struggles with drugs, alcohol, and his sexuality. "We didn't want to compromise the fact we felt it had to be hard-hitting and truthful," he said. John, 72, could be seen limping on his way up the Cannes red carpet, where he wore a tuxedo with the film's name spelled out in sequins, the Guardian reports. At the after-party, he praised the performance of Egerton, who sang all 20 songs in the movie without lip-syncing. "When I watch the movie I don’t see an actor playing me, I see myself," he said. The singer plans to retire from touring after a 300-date farewell tour finishes in 2021. (More Elton John stories.)