A terrific tribute to the greatest band alive!

Rating: 10/10 (2 July 2009)

Julie Taymor is brilliant! She has created something truly amazing, one of the happiest, love-filled movies I have ever seen. Across the Universe is essentially a movie about the awesome era that is the 60's, with a love story added in. The plot is thin, but in this case, it is forgivable because Taymor obviously has no interest in a convention. This movie is a way to bring to life some of the greatest Beatles' songs to life in a bold, unique style. The cast do a fantastic job of covering The Beatles, because honestly, that is an incredibly daunting task. Although they will not match the amazing voices of The Beatles, they add there own touch to some amazing songs. As the two leads Jim Sturgess and Evan Rachel Wood shine, they both have amazing voices and great chemistry. The supporting cast are just as good; Joe Anderson, Dana Fuchs, Martin Luther and T.V. Carpio are smashing! The story follows Jude (Jim Sturgess), who travels to America to find the father he never knew. While there, he meets Max (Joe Anderson) and his sister Lucy (Evan Rachel Wood). Max convinces Jude to move with him to New York, where Lucy soon joins them following the death of her boyfriend who is serving in the Vietnam War. Jude and Lucy fall in love, but soon the turmoil of the 60's creates conflicts.
Most of the story is told through the many different Beatles' songs, including: "I've Just Seen a Face," "Hey Jude," "Come Together," "Revolution," "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" and "I Am the Walrus." These are a few of the many, all sung with passion by the cast (including Joe Cocker and Bono in two separate appearances). With a bold visual style, these songs are brought to life and I was swept up and taken along a magical journey. Across the Universe is a movie I will never forget, and always love. The message that carries through from The Beatles' songs are still as touching as they would have been when first released. Love, peace, happiness...all these emotions are spill out, along with sadness, loss and death.
Across the Universe is not a perfect film, people have commented on its clichés and poor pacing. Maybe they are right, but this is a movie that should not be judged on this when so much is done right. The acting, direction, visuals, music, it is all so perfect. Taymor has created a film full of love and hope, an amazing love story set in the 60's told through the songs of The Beatles. Sounds good doesn't it? 5/5