That’s right, the whole gang is “all together now” (oh, stop moaning); Jude, Lucy, Prudence and a few others star in the funny and poignant Across the Universe, where the word ‘trippy’ just begins to describe these surreal re-imaginings of Beatles’ classics. I mean, what can accurately describe seeing U2’s Bono make a cameo as a Californian cowboy hippie and belt “I am the Walrus.” Some moments of the show are simply beyond words.
Despite lackluster acting and a tacked-on plot, the movie succeeds as a two-hour Beatles music video.
Set during the Vietnam War, the film pretends to follow the personal struggles of six individuals in New York as they search for personal identity; three are struggling artists and musicians and the other three are trying to abandon their small town lives. But the plot takes a backseat to the music and moments of perhaps the greatest band of all time, The Beatles.
Director Julie Taymor, best known as designer and director of Broadway’s adaptation of The Lion King, succeeds again in creating a visually stunning work. There is no scene that does not visually interact with the audience, and her masterful use of movement and color is reason enough to see this film. Whites and pastoral colors show up in the beginning for early Beatles’ songs like “Hold Me Tight.” In one scene, a blond beauty clad in a pearl necklace and white dress sings to her handsome boyfriend on their prom night, “Being alone with you feels so right.” It is the very picture of a white bread American stereotype. But when her boyfriend leaves to fight in the war, Taymor transports us into no man’s land dominated by nothing but brutal violence and the color black. A rendition of “Let It Be” is sung by a black gospel choir. Juxtaposing these scenes, Taymor shows the audience how The Beatles’ ubiquitous message of love matured from idealistic to realistic over their seven years as a band.
One could definitely love this movie with eyes closed. The film’s soundtrack was re-recorded by the actors themselves and as challenging as covering The Beatles’ seems to be (yes, Rod Stewart), on the whole they do an excellent job. The actors’ revamping of The Beatles’ catalog genuflects to the Fab 4’s legacy and endows each song with a fresh sound. The tracks range from popular favorites like “Come Together” to lesser-known gems like “Happiness is a Warm Gun,” and focusing on the lyrics lets old and new Beatles fans rediscover their power and the large range. The only failures from the soundtrack are “Revolution,” in which the singer aggressively attacks the pro-peace song, and “Dear Prudence” which seems to only be added for the sake of giving a character more depth, but fails to do so.
Though the minimal acting doesn’t boast any Oscar-worthy performances, the film doesn’t lose momentum for it. Evan Rachel Wood, who plays Judy, excels in showing the inner turmoil when the war steals her boyfriend’s life and potentially her brother’s. Jim Sturgess, who plays Jude, a shaggy-haired bloke from Liverpool resembling a young Paul McCartney, and Joe Anderson, who plays Max, have excellent chemistry and work well as a comedic pair throughout the film. The actors’ performances are fitting for the plot without stealing the attention the music is meant to receive.
This movie affords the viewer a rare opportunity to sit down and focus on music and lyrics within it. Across the Universe—as does anything that has to do with the Beatles—ultimately preaches a gospel of love. So spend the ten dollars and go see it. Hell, it made Oprah cry!
