Released: 2007
Rated: PG-13
Director: Julie Taymor
Starring: Jim Sturgess and Evan Rachel Wood
Short Summary: This jukebox musical is the story of a romance between an upper-class American girl and poor boy from Liverpool, set against the back drop of the Vietnam War, The Civil Rights Movement, and other events of the 60's.
Why It's A Must See Movie
This week's pick is inspired by a fan video I'm working on which happens to include clips from Across The Universe. I thought since I was spending time looking at the movie why not tell everyone about it. I totally didn't think that the first musical I picked for Must See Movie was going to be this one. Not that this movie isn't awesome. I just thought I was going to go super old school with my musicals and pick something like West Side Story or something. Haha! Across The Universe is definitely not your average old school musical.
In case you found the summary confusing and still don't know what this movie is, Across The Universe is a jukebox musical featuring the music of The Beatles. The film seeks to explore the many aspects of the 1960's era through music and a ton of crazy cool visual imagery. I admit that this movie might not be for everyone, but I still think everyone should see it at least once. Mostly because the renditions of the classic Beatles tunes are so innovative, and because Across The Universe is just so darn pretty to look at. It's a beautiful high color movie with great camera work. I even think the blocking in the film is great. Directors often underestimate the value of excellent blocking in a movie musical but Julie Taymor didn't. The actors are in the film are really able to access their emotions well. Something that makes the breaking out in to song thing believable on screen. I think they are all great singers as well with voices full of style.
The film is very clever with it's nods to songs by The Beatles. For example: all the main characters are named after names mentioned in Beatles songs. Jude, Lucy, Maxwell, Jo-Jo, Sadie, and Prudence. Yep the gang's all here. This of course allows them to use songs that they probably couldn't use under normal circumstances. I like that they don't just use The Beatles #1 hits but they used a couple of the more unusual tunes in there as well.
The movie does tilt toward the psychedelic during the more later 60's sections of the film which is why I think some people don't dig it. I am usually really disturbed by psychedelic stuff in movie musicals. (Case in point Tommy which gives me the wiggins despite it's great music.) However, Across The Universe doesn't bother me. I think because those sections were handled in a way that doesn't go too far or were so artistic that I just considered them art.
Overall Across The Universe is one of my favorite films. I think if you haven't seen it you should check it out. It's super cool.
1 comment:
I love this film! Great review - I agree with all of your points. The visuals are awesome, and I too like the fact that they used many of The Beatles "lesser" (in terms of popularity, not quality) songs.
I think the psychedelic stuff was very appropriate, given the era, and the fact that the group composed many of their songs during that time while under the influence of psychedelic drugs.
I was pleasantly surprised that almost all the renditions of The Beatles songs were very good - some were quite outstanding.
I own this DVD - someday will definitely have to get the soundtrack!
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