How many songwriting partnerships do you know to have lasted decades?
Elton John and Bernie Taupin worked together on over 30 albums across five decades, and now the critically-acclaimed biopic from Dexter Fletcher, Rocketman, will depict the pair's long-term platonic relationship on-screen.
Alongside Kingsman star Taron Egerton as John, Billy Elliot star Jamie Bell appears in the major supporting role of Taupin and has discussed how the pair's relationship is getting a new type of focus compared to previous media portrayals.
Speaking to The Times, Bell revealed that the film takes a "warts and all" approach to John's relationship with Taupin, despite their public image of being a harmonious working partnership.
"The way they talk about each other is obviously quite defensive," says Bell. "Me and Taron were always very aware of the fact that on record they'd say, 'We've never had an argument,' which just can't be true."
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The film features a scene where Egerton's John brands Taupin a "coward", saying "Same as always. Leaving me when things get too real."
Bell suggests the need to maintain a professional brand is why the pair want to preserve their united public front.
"Yeah, totally and I get that. But we were always trying to find the thing that's really going on with them.
"Why do they need each other so much?"
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The actor suggested it's because they have a similar position as "outsiders".
"Ultimately there's a sense that they began as outsiders. And I think they end as outsiders as well, but they're still together."
Bell surmised why he thinks Elton John's music and works with Taupin endures.
"I think what Elton gives to people is joy, I really do."
Rocketman is released in UK cinemas on May 22, 2019.
