For many, The Beatles are a classic rock group that dominated the 1960's. For others, they are a truly innovative group that created masterpiece after masterpiece. In 2007, a movie titled "Across The Universe" was released, bringing the classics to a whole new audience. The movie, however, is highly underrated, having only a select few know of its existence. If you are one of the ones who hasn't seen it, here are a few reasons to watch it.
1. It is historically accurate.
Contrary to popular belief, movies can be historically accurate. It follows the appropriate timeline of the 1960's: the draft, Vietnam War, the hippie movement, etc. Not only is it accurate, but they recreate scenes such as parades against President Lyndon B. Johnson, the Vietnam War, the 1967 Detroit riot, and anti-war rallies that covered the entire country.
2. It follows The Beatle's discography and timeline.
The career that The Beatles had spanned nearly an entire decade, and "Across The Universe," though only covering a year or two, follows the same timeline.The Beatles begin at the beginning of the 1960's, with their clean-cut style and rock 'n roll influences. The movie starts during an unspecified year of the 1960's, but the look matches that of the earlier versions of the Fab Four. As the movie progresses, the evolution of the music and appearance of both the cast and The Beatles begin to coincide, forming a coherent parallel between the two.
3. The cast is extremely talented.
In order to pull this movie, they needed only the best to portray the characters of Jude, Lucy, Max, and the rest of the group. The cast consists of Jim Sturgess, Evan Rachel Wood, Joe Anderson, T.V. Carpio, and many more. Jim Sturgess, who is probably best known for his role in "Cloud Atlas", portrays Jude, a young man from Liverpool, England. His Paul McCartney-esque looks and coarse, accented voice gives new life to the songs he sings. Evan Rachel Wood, who portrayed Lucy, sang in such a soft voice that balance out Sturgess's. Some celebrities even made cameo appearances. Joe Cocker, Eddie Izzard, Salma Hayek, and Bono made their short presence known, stealing the scenes that they were in.
4. The movie was shot on location at Princeton University.
At one point in the movie, the main character, Jude runs into Max, a student at Princeton. Fun fact: all of the college scenes were shot at Princeton University in Princeton, NJ. If you're a student there, or just want to explore an open movie set, definitely consider traveling to the gorgeous campus.
5. It's educational.
Not only is it historically accurate, but it also educates about what really happened during the draft in the 1960's. During "I Want You/She's So Heavy", Max tries to come up with any excuse so that he doesn't get sent off to war. At this moment, it is said that as long as you don't have flat feet, you can fight. Many men during this time had tried many different ways to avoid the war, including eating beets to make their urine look like blood and swallowing full cotton balls to look like tumors. No matter what, any man had to serve, and this movie provided an inside look that others wouldn't show.
6. It has Paul McCartney's blessing.
Considering that Paul McCartney was a core member of The Beatles, it only seemed fit that he attend the movie premiere. Reports say that the film made him cry, portraying a beautiful story with the music he helped create. If that is any consolation that he enjoys the movie, it's a stamp of approval.
7. It is a beautiful love story.
Since many of The Beatles' early music consists of love songs, it only makes sense to put a love story at the center of the film. Jude and Lucy meet because of Lucy's brother Max and immediately fall for each other, even though they both know that they are in love with someone else. They navigate the whole movie together, engaging in normal relationship activities, like fighting and cuddling, ultimately ending things. It is almost reminiscent of "The Notebook", in that they find their way back to each other. Love always in the end, am I right?
8. The movie is in the process of making the jump to the stage.
Julie Taymor, the original director of the film and Broadway alum, is currently planning on bringing the story of love, peace, and truth to the stage. Using all of the same songs and incorporating a few more, the hippie community of Greenwich Village will hopefully be hitting the stage before 2020.
Hopefully, I have convinced you, but if not, I'd recommend watching it anyway. Even if you are not a fan of The Beatles, the way that their discography was translated for a whole new audience will make you forget that the songs are over fifty years old. A fresh reinvention of a classic is always welcome, and should be more widely accepted.
