Rocketman is quite simply the evolution of Reginald Kenneth Dwight from a shy lonely kid into the internationally known music phenomenon, Elton John. It’s a difficult process starting with his childhood where Reginald is reared by cold and distant parents. However, even at that early stage, he shows musical brilliance, getting a scholarship to the prestigious Royal Academy of Music in London. The story examines his depression, substance abuse, and acceptance of his sexual orientation. His story unfolds as he shares the key moments of his life with a therapist and members of a group counseling session.

Rocketman is an exceptional film worthy of Oscar consideration. And it’s a See It! It proves the saying, adulthood is that time in life when we get over our childhood. Because despite his rare talent and worldwide fame, Reginald/Elton struggles through his adolescence and through his adulthood trying to gain acceptance, love, and respect from his parents.

Getting Rocketman to the big screen was a lengthy process. Originally, set to go into production in 2001 with Justin Timberlake as John, Elton battled with studios’ wanting to tone down the sex and drugs, to garner a PG-13 rating. But John felt strongly that his story could not be accurately and fully told without the decadence.

In April 2018, the project moves forward with Taron Egerton as Elton. There has never been a better casting choice! Egerton does all of the singing, while not as strong as John in his heyday. But along with his acting and dancing, Taron is nearly perfect. Overall, the entire cast is superb. Bryce Dallas Howard, Ron Howard’s daughter and an accomplished actress in her own right, plays Elton’s cold and verbally abusive mother. Jamie Bell stars as the silent force behind John’s success; his songwriter, Bernie Taupin and one of the few people who cared about Elton as a friend and not a source of money.

Rocketman succeeds because it’s not preachy or heavy-handed. Viewers will sympathize with Elton, but that’s not the film's intent. It’s the natural response to seeing his story. It also includes his vast library of songs and how Taupin’s lyrics were often relevant to what was going on in their lives at the time. For example, Yellowbrick Road is about when Taupin needed a break from the demanding travel schedule John maintains. Taupin returns to his farm as the lyrics state.

There are other interesting facts. Like despite being gay, Elton had a four-year marriage to a woman.

It’s difficult to give Rocketman a cast diversity rating. With truth based stories, the casts have to reflect the races of the people involved. Then as today, there are many African Americans in the music industry. That’s shown in the film. John got his start in the 60s, a time of the Beatles and Motown. He interacts with black groups and according to the film, it was black entertainers who introduced him to the gay (homosexual as it was more often referred to then) lifestyle.

Rocketman is just over two hours and is rated R for obvious reasons. It is truly an exceptional production. And you really should “See It!”

WATCH VIDEO: Martha Reeves

What's The 411TV correspondent and Motown historian, Chuck Whaley, gives us a little bit of insight into the history of Motown when he interviews the legendary singer, Martha Reeves.

As Motown aficionados know, Martha Reeves was the lead singer of the legendary Martha Reeves and the Vandellas.

If you know anything about Motown, you know that one of the Vandellas hit singles that has lived on to this day is DANCING IN THE STREET. And, if you listen very closely, you can hear it playing in the background.

At the end of the interview, you can also hear Ms. Reeves give a shout out to Chuck's daughter, Crystal.

Berry Gordy Jr., the legendary founder of the Motown empire, graciously greeted his friends, family, and fans on the red carpet at the Motown: The Musical Friends and Family Night.

Mr. Gordy was excited to be in New York City to see his Broadway theatrical production about the founding of Motown and the life behind the scenes showcasing the musical acts we've all come to know. He wanted the world to know how Motown was founded and how all who had a hand in building the company felt doing it.

Mr. Gordy also recognized that timing is sometimes everything. He knows that he was incredibly lucky for Motown to be as successful as it was. As Motown was created just at the time the United States was ready for this type of creativity emanating from the African-American community.