Across The Universe
I saw this at the weekend and really loved it. It's a definitely a film made by Beatles fans for Beatles fans. Director Julie Taymor clearly has great affection for the Beatles' music and the spirit of the sixties. The story follows a young working class Liverpool lad on his journey through sixties America where he falls in love with a middle class daddy's little girl type. And as always happens in Hollywood she loves him back. This wouldn't happen in real life, at least not to me. On a personal note, it's a shame I was feeling a bit lonely and miserable the day I saw the film, I wasn't more in the mood for this kind of story. The film has some excellent inventive and trippy visuals. A menacing Uncle Sam during I Want You (She's So Heavy) as Max is drafted into the army and a sexy cameo from many Salma Hayeks to mention a few. The songs used in the film range nicely between faithful translations of the Fab Four's hits and re-invented adaptations. All are very listenable, there's nothing in it to provoke cries of objection from die-hard Beatles nuts like me. The version of I Wanna Hold Your Hand was a particular surprise for me since it's not one of my favourites, the take on it here is really sweet. The cast all rise to the challenge as far as singing is concerned. By the time the double-whammy climax to the film with Hey Jude and Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds came along I had tears of joy welling in my eyes and I couldn't help myself grinning. It's a beautiful ending. That's the healing power of music, man! The only minor quibble was the songs that got left out. No Help! or Get Back. There's gotta be a few that don't make it though, obviously. Total Films review, lazily squeezing in Beatles references ("it doesn't quite come together"- ha fuckin' ha) dismissed this as a two star film. No way! Weather you're a Beatles fan or not this is a lovely film made with love that I really recommend.
I saw this at the weekend and really loved it. It's a definitely a film made by Beatles fans for Beatles fans. Director Julie Taymor clearly has great affection for the Beatles' music and the spirit of the sixties. The story follows a young working class Liverpool lad on his journey through sixties America where he falls in love with a middle class daddy's little girl type. And as always happens in Hollywood she loves him back. This wouldn't happen in real life, at least not to me. On a personal note, it's a shame I was feeling a bit lonely and miserable the day I saw the film, I wasn't more in the mood for this kind of story. The film has some excellent inventive and trippy visuals. A menacing Uncle Sam during I Want You (She's So Heavy) as Max is drafted into the army and a sexy cameo from many Salma Hayeks to mention a few. The songs used in the film range nicely between faithful translations of the Fab Four's hits and re-invented adaptations. All are very listenable, there's nothing in it to provoke cries of objection from die-hard Beatles nuts like me. The version of I Wanna Hold Your Hand was a particular surprise for me since it's not one of my favourites, the take on it here is really sweet. The cast all rise to the challenge as far as singing is concerned. By the time the double-whammy climax to the film with Hey Jude and Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds came along I had tears of joy welling in my eyes and I couldn't help myself grinning. It's a beautiful ending. That's the healing power of music, man! The only minor quibble was the songs that got left out. No Help! or Get Back. There's gotta be a few that don't make it though, obviously. Total Films review, lazily squeezing in Beatles references ("it doesn't quite come together"- ha fuckin' ha) dismissed this as a two star film. No way! Weather you're a Beatles fan or not this is a lovely film made with love that I really recommend.