if you liked the beatles music today, you must see...

Across the Universe (2007)

Release Date:
9 October 2007 (Canada) more
Genre:
Drama | Musical | Romance more
Tagline:
All you need is love. more
Plot:
The music of the Beatles and the Vietnam War form the backdrop for the romance between an upper-class American girl and a poor Liverpudlian artist. full summary | full synopsis (warning! may contain spoilers)

Awards:
Nominated for Oscar. Another 1 win & 6 nominations more
User Comments:
I count myself lucky... more
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)
Evan Rachel Wood ... Lucy Carrigan

Jim Sturgess ... Jude

Joe Anderson ... Max Carrigan

Dana Fuchs ... Sadie

Martin Luther ... JoJo (as Martin Luther McCoy)

T.V. Carpio ... Prudence

Spencer Liff ... Daniel
Lisa Hogg ... Molly
Nicholas Lumley ... Cyril
Michael Ryan ... Phil

Angela Mounsey ... Martha - Jude's Mother

Dylan Baker ... Max's Father
Erin Elliott ... Cheer Coach

Robert Clohessy ... Jude's Father

Curtis Holbrook ... Dorm Buddy

Fun Stuff
Trivia:
According to Julie Taymor she used 30 songs of The Beatles as a basis for the script that covers events from 1963 to 1969, but in the film those 7 years are compressed in two years. more
Goofs:
Anachronisms: In the scene on the roof top the lead vocal microphone has an XLR connector on it. The only thing that used XLR at the time was the Canon P series of film camera. Sound equipment still used twist lock cable with four pins. more
Quotes:
Max: She loves you - yeah! Yeah! Yeah! more
Movie Connections:
References Yellow Submarine (1968) more
Soundtrack:
Something more
FAQ
Was Prudence a Lesbian?
What Songs are featured in this film
Are there any other Beatles references in this movie?
more
User Comments
(Comment on this title)
176 out of 223 people found the following comment useful:-
I count myself lucky..., 17 September 2007
10/10
Author: DavidGunnar from Canada

... to have been able to see this film in the beautiful Elgin Theatre with Julie Taymor there to answer questions / talk about the film afterwards (at the Toronto International Film Festival).

Wow!!!

I was carried away, I was moved to tears, I stood up and cheered.

For those who commented about the singing - the actors sang all the songs themselves. What's more, though they did record the songs in studio first as part of the rehearsal process, most of the song performances used in the film were recorded live as they played out the scenes. Perhaps that's why - for me - the songs worked so well; it actually felt like the characters were just moved to sing. Amazing performances from - mainly - unknown actors.

And I felt the story had a strong narrative line, aided / supported by the songs. It used the background of history, not just as a painted backdrop, but to add meaning and depth to the characters and the story they were living. Made me wish I'd been there (born in '65, too young to remember the 60's); I'll have to content myself with living vicariously through Jude and Lucy and the others.

Add to everything else Julie Taymor's glorious visuals, and I was truly swept away. I saw 36 films at the festival, but this was head and shoulders my favourite.

I fell in love with this film, and look forward to sharing it with friends and family who didn't have the luck to see it as I did. It's a film that will, I'm sure, reward repeated viewings.



check out: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=AKPIFbCPifE&feature=related

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=S9QyE8DLJmI&feature=related

etc..etc.