A Remarkable Film

Rating: 10/10 (22 July 2006)

Who would have thought that four Liverpool boys from the lower middle classes would find each other and all be musical prodigies? Who would have thought that they could change the world in so many ways with their music? Who would have thought that their first film, an attempt to mock Presley by going from vinyl to celluloid, would be a major musical classic--far surpassing any film made by Presley? Who would have thought that America's introduction to "Monty Pythonesque" comedy would come to us via Richard Lester and the Fab Four? Yet, I submit that the premise of all these questions is verily true.
I watched this film for the first time in years the other night and I appreciate it on so many levels. No, the Beatles were not just hype. They deliver on almost every creative endeavor (Magical Mystery Tour excepted--fun though incoherent). How sad half the crew is now gone, but how fortunate we are to be able to ever enjoy them through this funny masterpiece.