Elton John Tantrums & Tiaras The Director's Cut
A fascinating look at the man behind the music legend from a unique angle filmed by his partner David Furnish with all behind the scenes footage.
Film making 18/25
Cinematography 18/25
Audio 20/25
Bonus Features 2/25
Total 80/100
One really neat aspect of a freelance writer is getting to review movies, CD’s and products you would not normally be interested in buying or watching. Elton John Tantrums & Tiaras definitely falls into that category but I am very glad I was able to take a look behind the scenes of Sir Elton John.
Tantrum & Tiaras is a personal look at Elton John filmed by his partner David Furnish with many of the questions and banter coming from him as well. The filming takes place over a year’s time during one of Elton’s tours across the world and covers much of his personal life as well as the stage events.
You don’t get to see him perform in front of audiences, you get the more personal and intimate views behind the scenes, joking with friends and dealing with the unusual stresses of a superstar. I can easily see why some stars have such odd and quirky behavior but I would not say that anything about Elton John is quirky other than his style of clothes and accessories.
His personality and how he behaves with friends, the people around him and how he copes and deals with his life is more normal than I had expected. Getting mad at a fan that does something totally innocent like waving at him while he is trying to relax and enjoy a holiday may seem odd for the fan.
But when you are trying to get away from all the pressures of being that superstar and trying to have a little time to yourself even these gestures of friendship can be upsetting. Elton John is a music superstar and deserves to have the lifestyle he has earned as well as being able to expect a little privacy and respect of others when he is not performing.
The film Tantrums & Tiaras shows him at his best while performing and being with friends and at his worst when his feelings and moods present a not so nice picture to everyone around him. The film goes beyond what is in a usual documentary by being with him all the time and catching him at all his normal down to earth self instead of just while performing.
Tantrums & Tiaras is a great look into the life and even emotions of a man who has such talent that it has led him to great riches and the more powerful stresses that often come with stardom. He talks candidly at times about his addictions and drug abuse as well as the people that helped him overcome these same problems.
The Director’s cut includes the original Tantrums & Tiaras that was filmed 13 years ago in 1995 while he was on tour performing at 108 concerts. He also received the Oscar award for his song Can You See the Love Tonight in The Lion King and we see him backstage waiting for his part in the show receiving the award.
The year 1995 was a large success in terms of his career but we don’t usually get to see the behind the scene stresses that occur for stars. Tantrums & Tiaras shows us the daily life and how things really happen behind the scenes as well as the bonus features of the commentary looking back at the film.
The audio commentary that is included for the film that is usually done a little after a film is made is here but is recorded onto the DVD 13 years after the film was made and released. Going back and hearing Elton and David talk and relive the film is just as good as the original film with plenty of insight and retrospection from both.
The commentary adds even more thoughtful and heartfelt conversation to add to your enjoyment at a look into the life of Elton John. Tantrums & Tiaras also includes several deleted scenes in the Director’s Cut so you can see what they didn’t bother with in the first film.
There are four what they call confessionals but are simply a quick question and answer session with David and Elton at various points during the year of filming. There are also several other scenes they decided not to use for one reason or another, one is due to language I would surmise.
Tantrums & Tiaras The Director’s Cut is a great look into a year in the life of Elton John as well as a look back at the film, the year and his own life. If you are at all interested in learning more about Elton John and how the life of a superstar is behind the scenes check out Tantrums & Tiaras, you will not be disappointed.