In 1995 superstar Elton John allowed close friend David Furnish to videotape a year in his life to produce a biographical documentary film Tantrums and Tiaras. After 13 years, the Director’s Cut is now available on DVD, and viewers may again visit the life of this complex and talented individual.
It is always fascinating to see what makes a person achieve superstar status in this world that places such value on celebrity. Viewers of this film when it first came out in 1995 may have felt that they knew and understood the impetus behind the creative and complicated individual Elton John. With the new Director’s Cut of this documentary having the benefit of a current commentary from 2008, there are elements added into the story that did not exist before.
In the case of Elton John, there have been many incarnations of his public persona. After years of Rock and Roll fame, in 1995, viewers saw a flamboyant character, moving away from self-destructive patterns of drugs and hedonistic lifestyle, into a more settled existence.
The mercurial personality was becoming more reflective and composed. In the interviews sprinkled throughout the production, Elton John seemed to be placing more emphasis on his creativity, and not relying on his celebrity status to carry his projects.
With thirteen more years of maturity, the Director’s cut of Tantrums and Tiara’s offers a look back, a look at the beginning of change, and the benefit of input in the voice of a mature Elton John.
The celebrity lifestyle is tough, regardless of the idea that it is all luxury and privilege. In 1995 audiences learned that Elton John had performed 108 concerts, flying all over the world to share his music with millions of avid fans. This alone is a Herculean effort in entertainment, and would seem to warrant a kind of decompression by excessive living.
During that year, the efforts of creativity are chronicled and celebrated with sessions to produce new music, and awards for the finished product. We see Elton at the Emmy’s being awarded for the song from Lion King,, Can You Feel The Love Tonight.
We also see Elton reflecting on what he wants out of life for his future, something that one gets the sense he has achieved by his dialog in the present day.
Elton John: Tantrums and Tiaras is presented on single disc in widescreen format. The playing time for the feature is 74 minutes.
Special features included are the very interesting commentary with Elton John and his partner/director David Furnish. This dialog adds so much to the understanding of the documentary then, and the life now of the subject, it is difficult to decide which is more fascinating!
Also included are bloopers, deleted scenes and a series of “confessions” with Rod Stewart, Kylie Minogue, Marlo Testina and Ginanni Versace. The documentary serves as a fine portrait of celebrity in the 1990’s, and with the special features is brought up to date into the 21st Century.
This is a must for all Elton John fans, and for those who wish to study the music and personalities of the late 20th into 21st Century. The feature is not rated, but language and situations are mature.
Elton John: Tantrums and Tiaras is now available at Amazon . As of yet, this version of the DVD is not available in the UK. Visit the DVD database for more information.
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