ACROSS THE UNIVERSE (2007)
Wow! In a nutshell that's my review of the new film ACROSS THE UNIVERSE. This is a dazzling cinematic treat sure to please even the most jaded of filmgoers. It's one of those rare films that restores your faith in the power of movies because it showcases the unique ability of the medium to transport viewers to other worlds.
Director Julie Taymor has created an incredibly imaginative film complete with awesome visuals, an interesting plot, likeable characters, and a political message. All of this is set to a soundtrack of some of the greatest rock and roll music ever made; the songs of the Beatles. Now who could ask for more?
The film begins with lead character Jude (aka "Hey Jude") sitting on a lonely Liverpool shore pining for his lost American love. Seen in flashback we watch as this young ship worker ventures across the pond in search of his biological father, a former soldier who was stationed in Britian during the war. And so the adventure begins.
Once in America Jude is befriended by several free spirited young mates including Max (aka "Maxwell's Silver Hammer") and his beautiful sister Lucy (in the sky with diamonds no doubt). We then follow Jude as he falls in love and begins a new life in the bohemian mecca of New York City.
ACROSS THE UNIVERSE doesn't simply use the music of the Beatles as a backdrop to the plot. Instead it reinterprets as well as celebrates the timeless quality of the songs. We hear familiar favorites but in a new context and from an exciting array of as yet unknown talented young performers. A good example of Taymor's use of a familiar song in a new and innovative way is a musical number involving Max going to an army enlistment center. In this sequence Taymor makes premium use of the Beatles favorite "I Want You" as a statement on the draft and the aggressive measures used by the U.S. military to procure troops for the Vietnam war effort.
Lesbian viewers will be particularly delighted by the film's reinterpretation of "I Wanna Hold Your Hand". Instead of the usual boy/girl stereotype Taymor gives us an enlightened portrait of a lovelorn lesbian teen longing for the affections of a fellow female cheerleader. It's a very sympathetic scene and one which illustrates a predicament that is painfully all too familiar to most lesbians. Ah the heart break of falling in love with a straight girl.
ACROSS THE UNIVERSE features a cast of talented newcomers including Jim Sturgess as Jude. Indeed the only recognizable name among the leads is Evan Rachel Wood who has made several previous films. All the actors in the film deliever top notch performances including inspired cameos by Joe Cocker, Bono, and Edie Izzard.
Like HAIRSPRAY, another big musical released this summer, ACROSS THE UNIVERSE provides modern viewers with a glimpse back to America in the 1960's. By using the music of the Beatles today's viewers are transported to a time ripe with peace movements, the Vietnam War, drugs, hippies, and a unique idealism. Through the music and the characters ACROSS THE UNIVERSE gives us a more personal way in which to interpret this turbulent chapter in modern history.
ACROSS THE UNIVERSE is a definite feast for the eyes as well as the ears. Taymor makes optimum use of elements such as special effects, costumes, make up, and editing. The cinematography is utterly fantastic. In particular the use of color in ACROSS THE UNIVERSE is amazing.
Taymor is especially gifted when it comes to giving each musical sequence a unique look and feel all its own. She is able to balance more understated musical numbers with big elaborate set pieces. An example of this can be found when comparing conventional sequences like those involving the songs "All My Lovin'" and "With A Little Help From My Friends" with the eye popping visuals accompanying "I Am The Walrus" and my personal favorate "Strawberry Fields Forever".
If I had one omplaint about ACROSS THE UNIVERSE it would be that the lesbian character, Prudence ("Dear Prudence") has only a small role in the plot. We are introduced to her early on and witness two of her infatuations with straight women but after that she seems to fade from the story. We see her toward the end of the film but we never have the opportunity to see her get the girlfriend she so desperately desires.
ACROSS THE UNIVERSE is a film that celebrates the power of both music and images. It deals with timeless themes such as love, war, art, rebellion, and the power of music. The film is well crafted and highly imaginative. Julie Taymor uses all the tools of the medium to create a thoroughly enjoyable and visually stunning cinematic experience.
C.L. Illsley
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