Across The Universe

ACROSS THE UNIVERSE (12)

D: Julie Taymor

Columbia/Revolution (Matthew Gross, Jennifer Todd & Suzanne Todd)

UK/USA 🇬🇧🇺🇸 2007

133 mins

Musical/Drama/Romance

W: Julie Taymor, Ian La Frenais & Dick Clement [inspired by songs written by John Lennon & Paul McCartney]

DP: Bruno Delbonnel

Ed: Françoise Bonnot

Mus: Elliot Goldenthal

PD: Mark Friedberg

Cos: Albert Wolsky

Evan Rachel Wood (Lucy), Jim Sturgess (Jude), Joe Anderson (Max), Dana Fuchs (Sadie), Martin Luther McCoy (Jo Jo), T.V. Carpio (Prudence)

Across The Universe uses a vast selection of Beatles' songs for its narrative framework, plot and musical interludes. 

The story itself is rather basic, focusing on a relationship between an American student and a poor Liverpudlian artist throughout the 1960's, as well as the Vietnam War and other significant events of the decade coming into play for some of the musical vignettes.

If you're a fan of musicals or even the music of The Beatles, you're very likely to enjoy this. The performances, especially from the lead couple, are good, and Julie Taymor directs with a great deal of style and vibrant colour. 

A huge step up from what was attempted with 1978's Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

7/10