‘Across The Universe’ Review
A+
Before this year, I didn’t really care much for musicals, and now in just a span of a few months, I have seen two that are not only pretty good, but just absolutely knock the ball out of the park. Even when I didn’t follow them before, I have still always respected the obvious hard work that goes into making one, and after the stunning satisfaction of ‘Hairspray,’ along with the true loyalty in my heart to the Beatles, I was actually looking forward to seeing ‘Across the Universe.’
The story begins in the early 1960s when a young dock worker named Jude (Jim Sturgess) travels from his home town of Liverpool, England to America looking for his American father (Robert Clohessy) whom he has never known. While in America, he falls in love with Lucy (Evan Rachel Wood), a young American girl with a privileged background. What seems like true love takes a sharp turn when Lucy’s brother Max (Joe Anderson) is drafted to go and fight in the Vietnam War, and they begin to follow the anti-war movement. With Beatles songs built in to construct the musical feel, this is a film that, not only builds on passion and emotion, but also paints a solid image of one of history’s most controversial decades, and a band that would forever change the face of America.
It was impressive to see an accurate cinematic setup of the 60s in ‘Hairspray,’ but ‘Across the Universe’ goes far beyond just appearances. The artsy special effects behind several of the musical scenes are a truly solid feast for the eyes and imagination, but with the emotional intensity of the drama on the side here, you can do much more than just watch, because it not only looks like the 60s………, it feels like the 60s! And trust me, you don’t have to be a veteran to understand any part of it.
Like ‘Hairspray,’ ‘Across the Universe’ didn’t really have any outstanding performances from its leads, but it doesn’t matter, because these young voices are so emotionally toned and so passionately inspiring, that your heart will be lifted to a level, which hands can’t reach and to a place which words can’t describe. You don’t just watch this film, you BECOME part of it!
Equivalent to John Travolta’s legendary portrayal of mother Edna, several big stars (including Bono and Eddie Izzard) make cameo appearances throughout. As brief as they may be, the cameos here are still a helpful boost for the young leads.
Being the traditional Beatles fan that I am, this was easily an exciting film to watch, not just because you already know the words, but also because you can see the true meaning behind the lyrics, and respect the powerful influence they made on a struggling generation. The song tones may have slightly changed to a slower, lighter feel, but all in all, with a young devoted cast and intense drama backed by solid visuals, ‘Across the Universe’ is guaranteed to send you home happy with a smile on your face, and maybe even a few tears in your eyes. The addition of an excellent soundtrack is just icing on the cake for this package of perfection!
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Oct 12 2007. Filed under Features.
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