MOVIE SPECIAL: Yesterday

As Director Danny Boyle states - it sums up the Beatles sense of humour that they would allow their spectacular history of songs to become the backbone of a film - in which the Beatles have never existed.

But this is the premise of Yesterday. Directed by Danny Boyle and written by Richard Curtis, it's a Love Letter to the music of The Beatles and to Love itself, with a twist.

Danny says they sought an artist who was an unlikely singer songwriter to play Jack Malik and in Himesh Patel they have found their perfect Everyman. The songs you hear in the movie are sung live by Himseh - a la Les Miserables.

You know what to expect from Richard Curtis by now - and in my eyes he doesn't disappoint. I think that Danny has held back some of Richard's more sentimental leanings and Himesh's relationship with Lilly James is not over saccharined as it might have been in another Richard Curtis movie. 

I'm sure it's been designed as a feel good movie from day one and in that respect it doesn't disappoint. You'll come out humming Beatles songs for sure. 

There are many clever moments in the movie that will make you smile or even laugh out loud. Let's put it this way, The Beatles may not be the only things that don't exist. But I'll say no more.

The choice of songs will always be the bone of contention. Like all these recent big music movies, the film hinges on what songs are chosen.  And in all fairness they've chosen some beauties, and they obviously have to fit in with the story.

Expect a decent slice of Ed Sheerhan, playing himself as the biggest songwriter in the world today. And he does a decent job.

There were lots of lovely moments that made me smile. Some cut out music industry characters, some throwaway friends but it has a heart.

The Long & Winding Road

Lilly James plays the perfect English Rose in a role that didn't need very much - let's just say she's the love interest and leave it at that.

There is one lovely moment where Jack meets someone on a beach - which I won't spoil for you but I found it very moving.

There's a moment where Jack and his band (I spotted you Michele!!) play on a Hotel rooftop - most music fans will know what this refers too and they could have made a bit more from this.

Yesterday

So all in all it's a Thumbs Up. It's not Danny Boyle's or Richard Curtis' best film. But it'll do nicely as a perfect summer feelgood movie. And you can't fault the songs.

The Yesterday Trailer

As a side note - if you're interested in a film which contains Beatles music, you may not have heard of this one. Give it a go.

Across The Universe