Parents' Guide to Elton John: Never Too Late

Movie PG-13 2024 102 minutes
Elton John -- Never Too Late poster: Elton John leaning back singing while playing the piano

Common Sense Media Review

Stefan Pape By Stefan Pape , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 13+

Musician discusses drug use, sexuality in celebratory docu.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 13+?

Any Positive Content?

  • Elton John: Never Too Late Trailer
  • Elton John -- Never Too Late: Elton John wearing headphones
  • Elton John -- Never Too Late: A younger Elton John wearing sunglasses with his hand to his mouth
  • Elton John -- Never Too Late: Elton John at the piano

Parent and Kid Reviews

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age 11+

Based on 1 kid review

 

 

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What's the Story?

ELTON JOHN: NEVER TOO LATE follows the legendary artist on his very final tour of the United States, culminating in a show at the Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles; the home of one of his most iconic performances. With candid and intimate access to the man himself, it's a chance to look back on a remarkable life and career, both on and off the stage.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say : Not yet rated
Kids say ( 1 ):

This documentary about one of Britain's finest musical talents is co-directed by the subject's husband, David Furnish (alongside R.J. Cutler), which provides quite remarkable and intimate access. However, the payoff of having your partner make a film about you, is that, at times, Elton John: Never Too Late feels somewhat like a puff piece. The documentary is very positively framed and, although candid and honest, it makes great effort to portray Elton in an affable way, such as the contrived scenes showing him as a doting father. But you know what—who cares. Yes it may not feel especially impartial, but Elton has had such a decorated career, and means such a great deal to so many that why shouldn't he have this? It's hard to begrudge him that, no less because he is comes across as extremely likable and has always remained relatable, despite the superstardom. Narratively, some of the structuring is a little messy. It's part tour documentary, part musical biography, without truly knowing which it wants to be. Overall it's an easy watch, and while there are some interesting titbits about his addiction issues—and a really great section about his friendship with John Lennon—it plays it fairly safe.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how Elton John came across in Elton John: Never Too Late. What character strengths did he need to both reach his success but also overcome certain things? How did he differ from his on-stage persona?

  • What did Elton have to say about drugs and specifically his use of them? Were you surprised about how open he was about his addiction journey?

  • Elton discusses being gay and how, when he first came out, it had a negative impact on his career. Do you think attitudes toward the LGBTQ+ community have changed since the 1970s? Why, or why not?

Movie Details

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Elton John -- Never Too Late poster: Elton John leaning back singing while playing the piano

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