Apr 18, 2008
The Reel Dad:
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Across the Universe: Academy Award nominee on DVD
by Mark Schumann
Father of Three
One of my childhood claims to fame was to have memorized the lyrics to every Beatles song by the age of 10. I am not sure, at this point, where I performed the tunes, but I know I was ready to embark, at a moment’s notice, on my own vocal magical mystery tour. For me, starting in the mid-1960s, the Beatles represented every opportunity available to the young. They were fun, talented, outspoken and accessible. And they had cool hair (or, so we thought at the time).
Years later, after so many memoirs and tributes, it’s thrilling to see a film director rethink the music of these revolutionary masters in new ways for a new audience. Across the Universe isn’t simply a collection of Beatles standards reset in bright colors. It is a marvelous journey back to a time when we truly believed we could change the world or, at least, we could make it take a second look.
In the hands of master director Julie Taymor, best known for her astounding stage production of The Lion King and a thrilling The Magic Flute at the Metropolitan Opera, Across the Universe is a wildly entertaining, thoughtful return to a simpler time that became too complex much too quickly. It has some fabulous music, too.
For a film with almost constant singing, the plot offers more substance than many a musical film. Lucy is a young girl who longs to leave a small town in middle America straight out of 1960’s television. Her brother, Max, drops out of college and ultimately enters the military. His accidental friend, Jude, makes his way from a dock in Liverpool to New York where the three share an oversized apartment in Greenwich Village with a range of colorful musical characters of the period. Along the way, we observe how they love, hate, protest, fear, experiment with drugs and sex, and beautifully perform the best possible collection of popular music.
What makes the film so special is how these characters come to life when they sing and dance in the tradition of the best of musical film. Taymor, always the most inventive of creators, offers staging here that stands with the best, from her inventive sequence in a bowling alley (which must be a movie first) to a basic training moment where the soldiers all look like GI Joe, a thrilling underwater ballet, a colorful ride through what we once called psychedelic colors, and a haunting funeral where, surprisingly, the classic “Let It Be” is performed as a spiritual. This freedom to recreate the most familiar of songs gives the film its drive. Musically, the film is pitch perfect, with beautiful orchestrations and top-flight vocals adorning each number.
In the end, Across the Universe is so special, so rewatchable, so magical in the way it transports us to a unique time in our history. For all of us who lived through the 1960s, and asked all the questions of the day, the film returns us to a state of mind in which we felt we could make others listen. For anyone curious about this decade, and its impact on every year that has followed, Across the Universe makes for a marvelous history lesson. Trust me, history never sounded or looked so good.
Note to Parents: Across the Universe offers a fun and entertaining view of a decade of long ago. That period of time comes magically to life with the vibrant sounds and colors of this most creative film. The film is rated PG-13 for mild profanity as well as casual references to drugs and sex. Your children may be, at first, a bit put off by the sudden bursts into song but, as they ease into the story, they will be dazzled by the visuals and touched by the characters. They will also enjoy playing “name that tune” with you, especially if you remember most of the lyrics to the Beatles’ songs. I do.
Film Nutritional Value:
Across the Universe
* Content: High. The film will interest anyone who enjoys Beatles music, visual films in general, musicals in particular, and celebrations of the life and times of the 1960s.
* Entertainment: High. In the hands of the amazing Julie Taymor, Across the Universe is a feast for the eye and hear. It looks and sounds and feels very special.
* Message: High. Within its entertainment, the film offers an important message of tolerance that, during the 1960s, we saw tested every day.
* Relevance: High. At a time when Americans, of many ages, question our nation’s values and express concern over our activities overseas, the film offers an important reminder that, in fact, history can repeat itself.
* Opportunity for Dialogue: High. There is a great deal to think about, and talk about, after watching this film. Enjoy sharing it together.
© Copyright 2008 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers
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