The Make-Up Artist: Part 2

Chapter Twenty: Rocketman

The melody develops into something recognizable and the familiar notes of "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" float through the theater as the credits of the film begin. Your eyes are glued to the screen as it goes black, then seconds later the movie's title sparkles into life. You feel the corners of your mouth stretch wide as you wait in anticipation for what happens next. The title is scattered away, and you are pleasantly surprised when the first image after that is non other than Taron himself in the orange sparkly jumpsuit he was wearing the very first time you ever laid eyes on him. He enters through a set of double doors, and then walks in slow motion determinedly to his next destination, wherever that may be. He then bursts through another set of doors as the camera zooms in close on him, and you feel exactly the way you did when you first saw him last year wearing this very outfit. Your hands go instinctively to the orange stone at your throat, and you relax and sit a little further back into your chair. A surprising feeling of calm begins to wash over you, and you wonder if maybe you will be ok after all. 

You actually rather enjoy yourself as you begin to watch young Elton's story being told through the talented young actors on screen. In fact, you are enjoying it so much that about twenty minutes in when Taron returns to the screen as a young adult Elton, you had almost forgotten he was in it. Well not really, but at least you are pleasantly surprised to see him reappearing so soon. As the carnival scene progresses, you are transported back to your early days on set where you were assigned to many of the extras you are watching on screen at this moment, before you were re-assigned to Taron only. Your remembered shocked reaction at being told you would be working with him exclusively makes you scoff at yourself a bit. To think, if that hadn't happened, none of the past year's events would've occurred. You can't decide whether that would've been a good or bad thing. Pushing those thoughts aside, you continue to watch Taron and the rest of the cast in awe at all of their performances. The introduction of Jamie as Bernie Taupin especially makes you smile; he was always so sweet to you and his and Taron's chemistry on screen is nothing short of inspiring.

You are happily enjoying the movie along with everyone else, when a particular scene comes along and punches you in the gut. The "Your Song" scene. You had almost forgotten that you'd be subjected to watching this scene in front of all these people, and having to deal with the memories that come along with it. As you watch him sing and play, you almost feel as if you're back behind that pillar watching him. The way his eyes look, the curve of his mouth as he smiles, the intense melodic sounds of his voice; it all transports you to another time and place and you feel the tears begin to well. Forcing them down, you instead choose to focus on how truly beautiful this song is, especially the way Taron delivers it. You only let yourself imagine briefly that maybe you had something to do with that in some tiny way.

Luckily, the movie picks up pace again several minutes later with the Troubadour scene, and it's so uplifting and whimsical that you temporarily forget your meaningless woes. Richard as John Reid is introduced in this scene as well, and you smile widely with pride for your friend. Shortly after that is the "Tiny Dancer" scene and you are met once again with memories of that night and the now infamous jacket. It's such an interesting perspective to have been involved with the majority of these scenes in a somewhat haphazard way, to now see them all fit together perfectly like a magnificent puzzle. You can't help but swell with pride at your small involvement with this film.

Without warning, Taron and Richard's love scene is thrust upon you and the entire audience, and to say it's mind-blowing would be an understatement. You grip the armrests a little tighter and squirm in your seat a bit. It's so strange to see two people you care so much about together like this, especially projected out for the entire world to see, even though you know it's just an act. Admittedly you feel a bit aroused and you're not sure what that's about, other than the fact that two gorgeous men are kissing and rolling around naked with each other. Relaxing your grip as the scene ends, you try and calm your slightly accelerated breathing so you can enjoy the rest of the movie. You are hoping for your sake that this will be last of that type of scene.