For my moviegoing public: Across the Universe

[grrgoyl]

As promised, we went to see Across the Universe Sunday night. As hoped, the rest of Denver were home watching the stupid Rockies win YET AGAIN, so the theater was practically deserted.

I won't bother cutting this as there will be no spoilers, and probably be very brief. Don't let the brevity fool you: I enjoyed this movie as much as I thought I would. It just doesn't lend itself to very in-depth analysis. If you're looking for a complex, original story, this is the wrong movie for you. Cute Limey comes across the pond for a change of scenery, meets cute girl just as Vietnam War protests start really kicking into gear, boy loses girl, boy wins girl back (John and I were alone in the belief that the two lads should have ended up together).

No, you should watch this movie for Julie Taymor's unique set designs and costumes, and for the clever interweaving of Beatles songs (both popular and obscure) into a story sung by talented, beautiful young actors. It's a rock opera for the new millenium. Highlights are too numerous to mention, but they're stuck to my brain like the brilliant after-flares of fireworks. Jude (Jim Sturgess) is gorgeous, but Tery rightfully pointed out that 10 years ago the part would have been totally owned by Ewan McGregor (they have similar singing voices too). Comparisons to Moulin Rouge abound (but please don't let that turn you off, kavieshana); Tery and I both agreed if Taymor had collaborated with Baz, it would have been the perfect film, tightening up in the places it got a little slow and bogged down. Max (Joe Anderson) could have been Jude Law 10 years ago. I didn't recognize Lucy (Evan Rachel Wood) who played Natalie in Running With Scissors, to my shame and Tery's disbelief.

The only specific reference I'll make is to the "Benefit of Mr. Kite" segment, sung by a fabulous Eddie Izzard. It would have been over too quickly except for the fact that Eddie's background singers are dressed as the Blue Meanies, the bad guys from Yellow Submarine who traumatized me as a child. Christ, that movie terrified me, and I'd managed to forget all about it until watching this. Damn you, Julie Taymor, for resurrecting those psychedelic demons.

I doubted that Tery enjoyed it at all until we got home and she couldn't stop talking about all her favorite parts. I didn't realize she loved musicals. Needless to say, the soundtrack is a must-own -- the 2-disc deluxe version, which contrary to aurora_z's belief was NOT for sale at my local Best Buy. Either Prescott, AZ has a secret inside track in the music industry, or the sales clerk I spoke to on the phone was unfamiliar with looking up items in the computer. No matter, it's coming from DeepDiscountDVD any day now, and we simply can't wait.

I was happy they included my all-time favorite Beatles song, "Day in the Life" (it was instrumental but still quite powerful -- and dammit, I just noticed it's not on the soundtrack). Tery, who insists on being old-school in all things, was excited there were a lot of older songs that I didn't recognize ("Happiness is a Warm Gun," "I Want You (She's So Heavy)," also not on the soundtrack evidently). She loves feeling superior about shit like that.

I didn't love it as much as Moulin Rouge, but as musicals go you can do a LOT worse. Tery wouldn't be surprised if this ends up on Broadway. And a DVD purchase is unavoidable. 4.5 out of 5

Comments

[metatronis.livejournal.com]

Hell yes, the boys should've ended up together! I'm not usually one for purely superficial relationships, but...dang would they be a pretty couple. The friend I went with gets mad at me for always creating gay pairings (I only do it when I think they have chemistry!), so I didn't get to express my desire for this.

High five for Day in the Life love! I really enjoyed how they used the intensity of it in that scene.

[grrgoyl.livejournal.com]

They were a pretty couple indeed! Lucy was okay I guess, I just didn't feel much of a spark there, probably the biggest reason I choose Moulin Rouge over this.

That was very well done. I enjoyed how some songs (like "When I'm 64") were worked in without actually singing them. I'm bummed though that "Day" isn't on the soundtrack. : (

[swankyfunk.livejournal.com]

Agghhh the Blue Meanies. They also traumatized me. Never, EVER forgot the first time I saw them on TV as a wee child, all yellow teeth and red lips and huge 6-fingered hands. Also, the creature with the vacuum nose that sucked everything up, including the film and ITSELF. FREAKY.

[grrgoyl.livejournal.com]

GAH. My sister is 13 years older than me, so she was all hippified when I was in my formative years. She'd show us all that stuff while babysitting. She showed us "Fritz the Cat." She's not a very good babysitter.

[oh-deve.livejournal.com]

I don't think I'll see this movie, but can't resist the opportunity to comment on Beatles songs. It's interesting that they used "A Day in the Life" instrumentally, but I think that's in and of itself too bad because the lyrics are so incredibly important to the song. I have a question: does the soundtrack include anything pre-Sgt. Pepper?

[grrgoyl.livejournal.com]

Ah yes, I forgot you're the huge Beatles fan. Why don't you want to see this movie? I was disappointed they didn't sing "Day in the Life," but the character was holding up a newspaper to signify the lyrics. Maybe they decided the song was too long to include in its entirety.

Tery says "Oh hell yeah" to your question. See the track listing for yourself.

[oh-deve.livejournal.com]

Nothing off "Revolver"? Funny, I can think of a couple songs on that album that would probably have been good for the movie.

[grrgoyl.livejournal.com]

I apologize on behalf of the filmmakers for not consulting you.

[velmaneuwirth.livejournal.com]

Oooh Eeeeeeeeeeenteresting.

[grrgoyl.livejournal.com]

Yeeeeeeeesssssssss : )

[aurora-z.livejournal.com]

::shrug::

My friend Aaron also bought the two-disc soundtrack, in a different part of Arizona, so maybe Colorado sucks?

[grrgoyl.livejournal.com]

Either Colorado, or the salesman I talked to. I didn't actually go to the store. It all worked out in the end, DDD wouldn't have let me cancel anyway since it was shipping out that day, which I didn't realize.

[lizzieloudotcom.livejournal.com]

Dear Sir,

I hope you weren't traumatized by the latest Southpark episode. There were some Blue Meanies there. And there may be some next week too. You've been warned! :)

[grrgoyl.livejournal.com]

Oh no! I don't watch the new seasons, I just buy the DVD so they're all fresh. Do you think they'll specially make a DVD without that episode on it fo' meeeee?