Fun

Rating: 8/10 (23 March 2008)

Across the Universe is a conventional love story linked together by Beatles songs. It's good fun but ultimately a little disappointing. The story provides a cue for a greatest hits compilation. The plot is predictable and the characters, usually named after a famous song, are underwritten. Being set in the psychedelic '60s it almost feels like you are watching an Austen Powers movie. But, if you like the Beatles there is plenty to enjoy.
The Vietnam War protests and the hippie sub-culture culture provide much of the backdrop. Jude is a Liverpool dock worker and a brilliant artist who arrives in Princeton to locate his father who served with the American army during World War II. Jude befriends Max, a student from a wealthy family who subsequently drops out of college and is later drafted. Max's beautiful sister Lucy becomes Jude's girlfriend. Max and Jude live in Sadie's loft in New York with Prudence and Lucy. Boy meets girl, boy loses girl but it all ends happily.
The film's writers Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais wrote two classic '70s British sitcoms "Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads" and "Porridge". In both shows the writing was smart and funny and featured a cynical central character. Unfortunately the quality of their writing in this film is simply adequate and the characters are bland stereotypes. The movie is lightweight and far-fetched but there is some great music to keep you entertained.