“Words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper-cup; they slither while they pass, they slip away, across the universe”.
Everybody should watch “Across the Universe”. Even if you’re not a Beatles fan. Simple, sincere, and damn, such kick-ass music. This is everything you’d ever want from a modern-day musical, and yet, still manages to connect with the hippie within by being what I’d call, a *distant* cousin to The Wall.
(That is, unless you’re looking for a powerful story, and stuff.)
The story is pointless, more or less. I guess you could call it something of a love story, set against the backdrop of ’60s America (aren’t they all?). But what a movie. Stunning visuals. Very nice shots. Very trippy. Songs are brilliant – some incredible versions (you would never believe how deep a song “I Want to Hold Your Hand” is) that you would never imagine. Lots of tongue-in-cheek uses of Beatles songs in the dialogue too, which is very amusing (to a fan). Look out for cameos by Joe Cocker, Bono and Eddie Izzard (someone who I would have never bothered to notice if George hadn’t force-fed me a slew of stand-up comics in Chennai; Thank you George – you made me feel smarter for a day). And some of the arrangements are fantastic – “Come Together”, in particular, really stood out, as did “I Want You (She’s So Heavy!)”.
What I really liked was, amidst all the psychedelia and the ’60s counter-culture movements and anti-war protests, the movie stays true to the Beatles; maybe it’s just my opinion (probably influenced by the fact that I’ve always wondered if it was possible to make a short story out of Beatles song titles), but it’s really impressive how they managed to weave an *entire* story out of song lyrics (a testament to which is the fact that the main characters were named Jude, Lucy, Max, Jojo, Prudence and Sadie; heck, there’s even a Dr. Robert and Mr. Kite!) and still have it make sense! I mean, sure, it was a little trite, and some things were a little too convenient, but it’s such fun! And the director doesn’t limit herself (I think it’s a “her”, can’t remember now) to just the songs either – Jojo is plainly inspired by Hendrix, Sadie by Joplin, Dr. Robert by Ken Kesey; there’s even a rooftop concert, man!
Watch it, man. And if you can, try and watch it on a big screen (I had to watch it on my laptop). You won’t regret it.
*goes off humming the end of Hey Jude*
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Yes, but is there a sex scene?
Yep yep. Great movie. But I don’t think non-Beatles fans would forgive the somewhat cliched storyline.
It’s like a bunch of brilliant music videos linked by a passable 1960s story.
@ Pear-cut: Don’t really remember. If there was one, it can’t have been very great. Is that usually what decides if you watch a movie or not?
@ Solo 2000: Really? I’d have thought that non-Beatles fans would have liked it *because* it’s a bunch of brilliant music videos
I mean, most musicals today usually are just a bunch of music sequences, like “Rent” (which I didn’t personally like very much, except for the La Vie Boheme sequence, but know many who *loved* it).
Dude, how can you watch a film without a sex scene? It is a matter of sympathy between you and the director of the film.
You want it, he gives it to you. Plus you know the reason he is making movies in the first place is because he wanted to get chicks naked.
For example, I was watching this intense and touching film by this Turkish-German director Fatih Akin (very highly recommended), called Edge of Heaven. Lots of death, sorrow and political and personal strife. But cor blimey if there wasn’t a ‘hawt (is what I think the kids call it)’ lesbian kissing scene to some French techno music. Ahh, bliss.
Plus, I looooove Rent. Partly because George loves it and partly because ‘ Won’t you light my candoooowwwlllee?’ Rosario Dawson
Dude, seriously. If you want to watch people have sex so badly, there are more than enough ways (Hell, come to Humayun’s tomb on a wintry day, man). But would you *not* watch a movie because of it?
“Partly because George loves it and partly because ‘ Won’t you light my candoooowwwlllee?’ Rosario Dawson”
That doesn’t imply that you looooove Rent; it implies that you love George.
(And Rosario Dawson, but whatever.)
Or I could watch myself on a Saturday night. Oh, snap! (I think there is something to the kids’ lingo)
Also, really good pornography, the kind which features the prettiest women is excessively depressing. I mean, there is some lout or other (admittedly very toned) saying nonsense like “I think you don’t have a best. Oh yeah? What is your best? (crank up the music. Action)” to some woman who is so incredibly beautiful you think to yourself, surely this one does not have to do porn. I mean surely not.
Also, whether you like the movie or something concrete in it (I personally took a long time to come around to songs in musicals, because I thought they were bland, but now love them because …. who knows why?) is the same thing, isn’t it? I love the songs in Rent. Absolutely love them. The movie is a bit shit really.
Also, as a Beatles non-fan (may God forgive this transgression), I still love their songs and probably listen to them a lot more than a non-fan should (which probably explains why I don’t like Oasis much either (may Yohan forgive me this transgression)). So I will seek out this film and watch it. Although today, it must be the Tall Blonde Man with the One Black Shoe.
[From a friend who has issues with his name on the net, and who had difficulty posting.]
Can u believe it… Po and i couldve watched Across the Universe in a theater.. but we hadnt heard about it… (n wwhat’s worse)…. we thought it was a chick flick!!!!!! So we just did NOTHING that afternoon instead!!! Why do these things happen! Thank God we atleast (not implying that we settled for it) got to catch The Phantom of the Opera in PVR!!
Check out ‘Hairspray’! Its a real fun musical… the music is snappy… the story line is good… AND the dancing is BRILLIANT !
Big hi Yohan n Tank! Havent heard from u guys in years
-Me!
Awww.. I loved some parts of this movie soo much… anon and I hadn’t heard “I’ve just seen a face” before this.. wow.. sorry for the prolonged absence,.. thankar waiting for your tag.. but dude navin didn’t you think the whole racial thing was a tad overdone.. I liked the “Let it be” version in the movie though….
“Racial thing”? What racial thing? Did I miss something?
I barely noticed a racial thing man. Just the ‘Let it be’ sequence. Was there anything else? I thought it was more anti-war protests?
And see, *this* is why you should listen to other songs besides the few you repeat over and over and over again. Especially since you *had* all the Beatles stuff. I still have horrific memories of listening to ‘Rent’ in your car. It was like strange cold-war torture. Or like what they did to Alex in ‘A Clockwork Orange’. Spent *many* days after humming ‘La Vie Boheme’ and ‘One Song Glory’ to myself.
*sigh*
Troubled days, those.