Charming even to those who do not love The Beatles

Rating: 7/10 (18 July 2019)

Despite not being as familiar with the Beatles as everyone else appears to be, I still enjoyed Yesterday quite a bit-- and that is why the film is so good. The film can entertain audiences that aren't necessarily head-over-heels with Abbey Road or yellow submarines or songs about people named Jude. While other contemporary love letters to bands (Bohemian Rhapsody, The Dirt) focus entirely on the band itself, this film honors the Beatles by telling a story of the world without them-- a world in need of a voice to tell their stories. This is where the conflict comes from: does Jack Malik plagiarize the Beatles or not? This premise is fun, lighthearted, and thoroughly enjoyable in execution by Danny Boyle, who clearly understand what this film needs to be.
The film's heart is not the Beatles, it is Jack Malik (the outstanding newcomer Himesh Patel) and the choices he makes. The story/romance between Jack and Ellie is what pushes the film forward, and the Beatles-never-existed premise is merely the vehicle to do so. At the core of this film are two strong performances, a simple message about telling the truth, and a heartwarming love story.
No, the film's cartoonish nature isn't going to blow audiences away. But what the film lacks in terms of originality and depth, it makes up in charm. Yesterday is wholly satisfying to those who want to be satisfied.