Across the Universe (2007)

I've made no secret of my love for this film. Completely unique and unlike anything you've ever seen before Julie Taymor's creation is visually stunning. Set in the turbulent decade of the 1960s, Across the Universe is a beautiful love story. Dockworker Jude (Jim Sturgess) leaves Liverpool to find his estranged father only to be swept up by the winds of change. Jude meets Max and soon falls in love with Max's sister Lucy (Evan Rachel Wood)- a sheltered girl who becomes enamoured of the anti-war movement. As tensions mount, Max is drafted and friends choose sides, their love is tested.

Unlike any musical you've ever seen or heard. This is not your grandmother's Sound of Music. It's a psychedelic trip to the greatest music ever. Director Taymor's vision is remarkable. Replacing lines with songs from the Beatle's extensive catalogue of hits creates amazing dialogue.

Visually, the film is a delight. The color and texture jumping off the screen is a film experience.
The nods found throughout the film are just as fun. When the cast isn't saluting the Beatles and their songs, they are dropping references to other personalities of the era like CCR, Jimi Hendrix and Angela Davis. Die-hard Beatles fans will catch the more obscure nods placed throughout the film.

Jim Sturgess is Jude, the Liverpudlian. His voice is real and contains an emotional range the carries the film from the opening bars of 'Girl'. Evan Rachel Wood is angelic in her vocals. Joe Anderson as Max surmounts the toughest of ranges in 'Mother Superior/Happiness is a Warm Gun'. Sexy Sadie (Dana Fuchs) is just brilliant-- that voice is that decade. If only woman could sing like that now. Martin Luther as Jojo, the Hendrix-esque soul brother is a true musician. His guitar licks make you cry.

If I had one beef, it would be with Bono as Dr. Robert. Although he gets some of the film's best spoken word, Bono is larger than life and does not fall under the spell of the film. He takes this viewer completely out of the scene. Eddie Izzard, Joe Cocker, and Salma Hayek each claim a large cameo role. The true cameo goes to an elusive Beatle.

Julie Taymor has created something uniquely different, fashioned from the past but embracing the future. Across the Universe is apolitical. Rather, I think Julie Taymor asks the audience to consider the passion of the decade and wonder where is it now.

Across the Universe is not what anyone could have expected. It's a vision unlike anything and sure to be polarizing because of it. Those willing to take the trip will be rewarded beyond their wildest imagination.