Every once in awhile a movie comes along that can grab my attention like no other and reminds we why I love the movies so much and keep coming back. In my life, at many times, they are all I have. They make me fall in love with the beauty all around us, demonstrating the real power of great stories, of great art. Long ago, in my review for Dazed and Confused, I said great art makes you feel something, it touches you deep in your soul and lifts you above the sum of the experience. This is what it was like for me watching Yesterday.
The plot is cute, but surreal. Jack Malik, a struggling musician (Himesh Patel, in a fantastic film debut), after being injured in a car accident, wakes up to a world which forgot The Beatles ever existed. He then tries to remember each song and performs them as his own and becomes an overnight sensation. But in many of these types of show business movies, all that glitters is not gold. The film has an ulterior motive as well, asking us: What if you got everything in the world you ever wanted or dreamed of, yet you were not happy? It turns out out Jack’s manager, Ellie Appleton (played sweetly and vulnerably by Lily James) loves him and has been his biggest cheerleader and supporter since they were teenagers. Everyone can see they are perfect for each other other than Jack. When she asks why he never loved her just before he leaves for stardom and celebrity, he makes the choice to leave, crushing her, and he realizes, himself. He feels torn because he feels as if he’s a thief and a fraud, and yet wants the world to hear some of the best music ever written.
This movie, at first blush, is a love letter to The Beatles and their music, but there is something much more than that. There is a beautiful, beating heart underneath about chances taken and lost, and the consequences of those decisions. The love story is not trite, but rather the soul of this movie, set to the soundtrack of the Beatles. It is really a story about love; love of family, friends, and yes, music. You don’t have to be a Beatles fan to like the movie, but if you are, it will get to you. I was totally swept away with the story until a surprise cameo totally shattered me and seduced me under its spell. The film is another masterpiece by Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire, Steve Jobs-the good one with Michael Fassbender, 127 Hours, 28 Days Later, Trainspotting and Shallow Grave) , who is quickly becoming one of my favorite directors of all time. And while many of his movies are very dark themes, this is a ray of light. A truly great film that resonates not only with the greatness of The Beatles’ music, but also from what one wise man said, “All You Need Is Love.”
No comments:
Post a Comment