Across the Universe - Review

Director Julie Taymor's (myspace.com/julietaymor ) Across the Universe is a unique film in a sea of formulaic fodder. This is not a film that follows a strict narrative from point A to B to C. It is almost more a series of vignettes strung along a loose story arc that creates a series of emotions to develop an overall feel for the piece as it is portrayed. All powered by the masterful lyrics of The Beatles.

We follow Liverpool born "Jude", (Jim Sturgess) as he travels to American ostensibly to find his U.S. G. I. dad. This device is used to introduce the character and get him to the east coast at the height of 1960's counter culture. At Princeton he meets Max ( Joe Anderson) and Max's fetchingly wholesome sister Lucy (Rachel Evan Wood). They all end up in New York, meeting a host of bizarre characters that each play a role in the tapestry of the film.

By now, you have met Jude, Max and Lucy. You probably see where this is going. You will also meet Sadie, Prudence, Rita, Dr. Robert, Mr. Kite….. The nice thing is that none of these characters are throw-away sight gags. Each plays an important piece in the sculpture Tambor is creating.

Look for great cameos by Bono, Eddie Izzard, Joe Cocker and Salma Hayek.
The voices of the principal cast were wonderful in their raw, organic delivery. Most of the songs were recorded on location. There were none of the "That's where they switched to studio" moments. The songs were seamlessly incorporated as dialog in many sections. This was an exceptional device that made many of the scenes so powerful as to really challenge the viewer.
This film is set in a time in history that has no equal. The late 60's was a rare era when music, ideology and world events conspired to create something that was new, vibrant and often terrible in its passion. It was a time when the youth rose up and truly changed the course of the world.

Unfortunately, there will be people who just don't get this movie. Either they don't have the cultural context to understand it, or they don't have the life experience or emotional depth to comprehend it. Normally this would be OK, everyone is entitled to their opinion. But not in this case! If you take someone to see this film and they come away saying they "Just didn't get it", they are probably a lost cause. Buy them the new Britney Spears CD and call it a day.
This film is a must see, and the DVD will be a must own.

As a filmmaker, you want to create something transcendent. Something that will be remembered. In Across the Universe, Julie Taymor has pulled off the rare feat of actually doing it.

Xtian