Yesterday (2019)

Rating: 8/10 (15 July 2019)

Yesterday is just a charming, heartfelt and often touching film. Superbly directed by Danny Boyle, the film is so much more then a feel good movie.
The performances are pitch perfect. Himesh Patel is gold as Jack Malik, not only a great acting performance but his renditions of the classic Beatle's songs are genuinely good. I saw Patel years ago in Eastenders and it's great to see him in this star making turn.
Lily James is just a wonder, she is always solid and she is great here as Ellie, funny, cute and just full of charm. The whole film is just charming and likeable, it's an odd description but its true, the whole picture is just so likeable.
The supporting cast are amazing. Sanjeev Bhaksar and Meera Syal were glorious as Jack's parents, loved seeing them steal the show. Joel Fry was equally spot on as Rocky, he provides most of the laughs and they are genuinely funny, typical Richard Curtis character in all the best possible ways.
I want to give a moment to appreciate Alexander Arnold, I've seen him in quite a few things now 'What Remains', 'The Salvation', 'Capital', 'Save Me' and 'Film Stars Don't Die In Liverpool' and he is just a star. He is great here, he is bloody great in everything, a supporting role nonetheless but he is definitely a star and worthy of so much praise.
Ed Sheeran, Kate McKinnon, James Corden, Sophia Di Martino, Ellise Chappell, Harry Michell, Sarah Lancashire and Justin Edwards were all solid support but the aforementioned cast members are truly the stars.
We head into MAJOR spoiler territory now so be warned:
Robert Carlyle as John Lennon was heartbreaking. The scene itself isn't sad but it was just such a beautiful surprise. Lovely. Absolutely lovely.
The cinematography and editing should be praised, Danny Boyle is a fine director and once again brings a fantastic style to the film.
The story actually contained a few surprises, I loved how it wasn't just The Beatles that disappeared from reality.
The film had such a nice ending and such a nice message, the fact that Jack goes on to reveal he didn't write those songs and becomes a music teacher to just carry on the legacy of their music to the next generation was really poignant. The whole concept is quite poignant and touching which the trailers don't really sell which was a nice surprise in my opinion.
The film is filled with heart, love and such poignancy. I really can't compliment it enough, Richard Curtis has once again produced a charming script that is actually quite layered whilst Danny Boyle has amassed a great ensemble to bring a fantastically feel good movie to life.
Don't listen to those criticising the film for being 'silly' and 'cheesy' watch the picture yourself and understand the deeper layers Curtis has penned within his script. This touching film is a what if scenario..what if one man remembered the Beatles when no one else did...but it's also about so much more.