Wednesday, January 1, 2020

I Believe in Yesterday...


Throughout his career, Danny Boyle has made some great films, including cutting edge movies like Trainspotting and 28 Days Later. He's also made award winning films like Slumdog Millionaire and 128 Hours. But one of his other talents is making movies that in other hands would be sentimental and trite, but in his hands, they are special. Millions is a movie like that, and so is Yesterday.

I finally got around to watching this film, which imagines a world where the Beatles never existed. After a freak occurrence, one man wakes up to discover no one remembers the Fab Four or their music (well, almost no one). A struggling musician, he decides to remake his career by recording as many Beatles songs as he can remember the words to.

He becomes an overnight sensation, singing songs that blow the world's collective mind. This is one of those feel good movies, with a love story, fun sidebars, and satisfying conclusion. 

The one thing that was interesting to think about from a distance was whether or not these songs would actually have the kind of impact that they once had, or that the movie imagines them to have. I actually don't think they would. Especially considering that other bands had existed in the film. If all of the other bands of the time had existed, would these songs really sound that new? 

I'm sure the songs would be popular, as they are popular still today. Also, children always seem to love the Beatles which means there is something about these songs that new generations still love. However, in today's music environment, I just don't see the effect that the film imagines. However, that doesn't deter from the fantasy of it and the incredible joyfulness that the movie delivers.

No comments:

Post a Comment