“Yesterday” (PG-13)
A bright new day is dawning for the music of The Beatles with “Yesterday,” a funny, sweet and oftentimes poignant romantic comedy that examines the simple notion of a world never exposed to the music of the Fab Four until it’s brought to the fore in a most unusual way.
British TV actor and Hollywood newcomer Himesh Patel stars as Jack Malik, a struggling musician who concedes to his longtime manager Ellie Appleton (Lily James) that after 10 years after trying to make it the big time, he’s ready to call it a day with his career. Jack’s fortunes mystically change overnight, though, when, after a worldwide power blackout and his bike’s collision with a passenger bus, he wakes up to learn that people have never heard of the music of The Beatles.
AUDIO: Listen to Tim’s review of “Yesterday” with Tom Barnard on “The KQ Morning Show” on KQRS-FM. Segment brought to you by Mike Bryant and Bradshaw & Bryant.
Having memorized most of the songs by John Lennon and Paul McCartney by heart (moving versions of “Yesterday” and “The Long and Winding Road,” among them) Jack – realizing the profound impact the tunes have on everyone he plays them for – sheepishly decides to pass the songs off as his own, resulting in a meteoric rise to the top of the world’s music scene. But the more successful Jack becomes, the more guilty he feels about living the lie, and the more distant he feels from the true love of his life, Ellie, who seems to be left behind as Jack achieves the fame he was always looking for.
With a story by Jack Barth and Richard Curtis and a screenplay by Curtis (the genius behind “Four Weddings and Funeral,” “Love, Actually” and the undiscovered gem “About Time”), “Yesterday” is a complete breath of fresh air in the Hollywood’s ever-increasing stale environment of sequels and remakes. The source material is completely realized by director Danny Boyle, who adds visual pizzazz to the relatively simple story, which ultimately makes for one of the best films of 2019.
With the “Slumdog Millionaire” Oscar-winning director calling the shots, Boyle clearly had the clout to properly execute Barth and Curtis’ vision, and the first great movie was casting Patel – a relative unknown, at least to American audiences – in the crucial lead role. Patel is a complete revelation as Jack, a clearly talented musician who can not only sing and play guitar and piano but maintain a magnetic presence throughout the film. Patel’s performance is elevated by the undeniable charm of James, who continues to impress with every film she’s in. James’ character’s strength is matched her vulnerability, and complete realization of the role makes James completely relatable. Thanks to stunning turns in “Cinderella,” “Baby Driver” and now “Yesterday,” James has become Hollywood’s quintessential girl-next-door.
While Patel and James anchor “Yesterday,” the film is loaded with several key supporting performances, including “Saturday Night Live” star Kate McKinnon, who is wickedly hilarious as Jack’s agent, Joel Fry as Jack’s gloriously misinformed roadie and pop superstar Ed Sheeran as himself. Sheeran is particularly amazing, given he’s playing a heightened version of himself as he instantly recognized Jack’s talents and brings him aboard his tour as an opening act, effectively swinging his protégé’s door wide open to worldwide fame.
“Yesterday” wouldn’t be complete, though, without the music of The Beatles, as the film perfectly captures the hole left in pop culture as Jack encounters people clueless to the group’s music at every turn (similarly fascinating would be a scenario of a world that never knew Elvis Presley). And while there are arguments to be had with the “What if?” scenario of The Beatles music not existing (if John, Paul, George and Ringo weren’t around, how could the countless acts they influenced be?), Boyle, Curtis and Barth have clearly captured lightning in a bottle with “Yesterday,” as countless filmmakers are no doubt kicking themselves, asking, “Why didn’t I think of that?” On a smaller plane, the film also examines people’s trajectories had not everything in life gone according to plan, resulting in a moment that is bound to leave audience members with goosebumps.
No matter whose idea great art is, somebody has to break the mold to make classic music as The Beatles did, and as it relates to film, “Yesterday,” is a perfectly-formed collaboration of filmmakers and actors who collectively crafted a near-perfect movie. Sure, it’s a fantasy movie that can’t be completely described but only experienced in person in order to realize its full impact; but fans will be happy to know that it has the same sort of life-altering impact that The Beatles had on people when their music was heard and felt all those years ago. “Yesterday” is not only a movie for today, but many tomorrows to come.
Lammometer: 9 (out of 10)
AUDIO: Tim reviews “Yesterday” and more with Paul Douglas and Jordana Green on “Paul & Jordana” on WCCO-AM. Segment brought to you by Mike Bryant and Bradshaw & Bryant.
Tim Lammers reviews movies weekly for “The KQ92 Morning Show,” “KARE 11 News at 11” (NBC), WCCO Radio, WJON-AM, KLZZ-FM, “The Tom Barnard Podcast” and “The BS Show” with Bob Sansevere.
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