Yesterday

[Beate]

Bevvy and I saw this tonight at Vue Stratford, not a cinema I had been to before, but it has a nice incline and a minimal to non-existent fuss about showing tickets.

What can I say - it's a nice little film, but it's no Love Actually. It's an interesting premise to wake up after a freak electrical storm and to be the only person having ever heard of the Beatles (and Oasis, figures), especially if you are a struggling musician who sees an opportunity and takes it.

Unfortunately Richard Curtis' version of the world has always been rather simplistic, not to say far fetched beyond belief. If it's escapism you want and a run of the mill love story, you'll get it, but if you wanted an exploration of the Beatles' greatness and today's music industry, you're going to be disappointed. It is very debatable whether the music of the Beatles would be written and sung exactly like that today, or whether changes would be made to make it sound edgier. We're meant to think that the American manager is a shark, but she's just doing her job, and frankly, nothing wrong with "Hey Dude" ;-)

Having said that, I did enjoy the songs and the acting by Tamwar from Eastenders and young Donna from Mamma Mia, and there is one little episode where Jack visits someone that gave me goosebumps.

As I'm writing this, Smooth Radio is playing Imagine...

7/10

[tonethestone]

Hard to judge this one as i assume its meant to be a 'sunday afternoon' type film, and that's exactly what it is. I have no idea if Richard Curtis is involved in this film, but its basically the same format as anyone of his films. I cant stand his films so this one didn't work for me. All stereotypes are out in force, the acting is pretty basic.

Curtis fans will get something out of it. 1.5/5

[mazzaholmes]

As a fan of the Beatles, and after seeing interviews with the cast, I was really looking forward to the film.

The music was great, the performances by all actors were fantastic, and it is definitely a feel-good film for all the family.

However, I thought the twist at the end was strange! I just don’t get it, but I would recommend.

[McG]

As a fan of the Beatles, and after seeing interviews with the cast, I was really looking forward to the film.
The music was great, the performances by all actors were fantastic, and it is definitely a feel-good film for all the family.
However, I thought the twist at the end was strange! I just don’t get it, but I would recommend.

Totally agree, mazzaholmes! I saw it as a preview and was very dissatisfied with the ending. However, I've seen it again now and, although I still don't like the ending, I did enjoy the film as I didn't focus so much on the ending. I found it a relaxing, fun film with great music.
Marks 8/10

[twinkle456654]

I guess I'm the opposite as in not a massive fan of the Beatles and haven't heard much of their music but was took to watch this without knowing what we was going to see.

I still enjoyed it though and would recommend it to most people. I was expecting something along the lines of A Star is Born or Bohemian Rhapsody but it's it's own story.

[RandomHajile]

i saw this at tribeca film fest (and actually spoke to the director before the screening and asked him for a begbe cameo) and its okay, but i think they missed a trick, if anything it felt a bit rushed, esp the smaller details of the story (cola,cigarettes ect)

plus as i saw "blinded by the light" before so that made this movie weaker in comparison

5/10

[Justa]

It's a nice movie to spend the time with a friends or family.