Perfectly pleasant, but nothing special

Rating: 6/10 (29 June 2019)

I am a fan of writer Richard Curtis, but the movies of his I've loved (Pirate Radio, Love Actually) are rooted in (albeit kooky) reality - the first based on a true story, and the second a series of realistic love stories.
This time, Curtis goes for fantasy - an unsuccessful musician, Jack (Himesh Patel) wakes up from a road accident to discover that no one has heard of The Beatles. So he starts to perform and record all their songs, and becomes a massive star.
It's a cute idea, but what's the point? I suppose it does show how beautiful The Beatles songs were. It's a love letter to the Beatles. There are lots of songs penned by Paul McCartney, one of just two Beatles who are still alive.
But for me the movie, while well made, is too light and cute. Patel at least is quite a curmudgeon and does have some depth as a man not knowing how to commit to his possible girlfriend Elly (Lily Jones). He also feels massive guilt at stealing songs he didn't write, and comes to realise that the corporate side of the music business can be terrible.
Ed Sheeran, who plays himself, is basically there as a novelty but he does OK. Jones is portrayed as a pretty love interest, and as a character doesn't develop much. Comedian Kate McKinnon tries hard (and obviously has fun) as Jack's soulless, rude, money-hungry US agent, who I guess at least is honest about what her intentions are.
It's not a bad or offensive movie. The cinematography is nice and colourful. It's just not a great movie.