“I have one question… who wears sequins?”
It's a fair question for Toronto International Film Festival CEO Cameron Bailey to ask during Friday night's world premiere of “Elton John: It's Never Too Late,” a revealing look at the musical icon who spanned generations.
Despite being one of the best-selling artists of all time, John tearfully told the crowd at Roy Thomson Hall that family was more important to him than fame. “I don't want my tombstone to say he sold a million records,” he said. “I want it to say he was a great father and a great husband.”
The documentary chronicles John’s journey to becoming one of the world’s biggest rock stars in the 1970s, and features his iconic performances at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles—first in 1975 in front of more than 100,000 fans, and then again in 2022 as his final North American concert. But the documentary also chronicles his relationship with her husband, David Furnish, who served as co-director with RJ Cutler (“September Edition”).
“The thing I love about this movie is that I own it.” [Furnish] “I’m so proud of what I’ve accomplished,” John said, pausing to hold back tears. “I hope to keep making music, but I want to go home and cherish it. Having a No. 1 album is really cool for five minutes, but that’s a lifetime.”
Now 77, John says: “I’m having the time of my life – except for this damned eye. I wish I could see you.” Earlier this week, John revealed he was recovering from a “severe eye infection” that left him with blurred vision. “But I can’t.”
Since the festival is a film festival, John gave a brief overview of his taste in cinema. He cited 1989's Field of Dreams as one of the films that stuck with him “because it's a father-son movie,” and also cited The Godfather Part II as his favorite.
As for “Never Too Late,” Furnish wanted the story to highlight the transformation that had occurred over the 50 years since John's first and last performances at Dodger Stadium.
“It’s a great story,” he said. “You can have all the success in the world, but it doesn’t mean anything until you have love.”
Of course, Furnish is responsible for some of this love. “I’m very close to the subject and therefore a bit biased, so I leave it at that.” [Cutler] “Take the initiative.”
Cutler may not be engaged to John, but he has his own history with the pop legend. He told the audience that he attended his first Elton John concert in 1975 when he was 13 years old.
“I had to commit forgery and grand larceny to get a ticket,” Cutler said. “I’m serious, and it was worth it.”
