Yesterday Movie Review
Nathan Swank
June 27th, 2019
What if you woke up in a world where the Beatles and their music never existed? YESTERDAY explores this unique question as a backdrop to a mostly predictable yet joyfully charming romantic comedy. With an exciting, original premise, YESTERDAY proves that “All You Need Is Love,” yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
After a strange world-wide power outage, during which struggling musician Jack Malik (Himesh Patel) is hit by a bus, Jack awakens as the only man in the world who remembers The Beatles. When some joking references to the famous pop group goes unnoticed and his loyal friends are genuinely questioning when he wrote his beautiful new song, “Yesterday,” Jack begins skirring the internet for clues. The only thing that comes up is the common insect and Pope John Paul. Jack’s journey to introduce the world to Beatles music as his own is a tricky one to navigate. Not simply because he can’t remember all the lyrics, but all because of his best friend, manager, number one fan, and possible soulmate, Ellie (Lily James), won’t be able to follow him as he transitions to stardom.
What’s so refreshing about YESTERDAY, isn’t just the imaginative concept, but also the positivity it brings. There is a humor and happiness in the characters that don’t rely on malicious decisions or ill will. That is, other than the American bigwig music producer, played to over-the-top excellency by SNL’s Kate McKinnon, who outright tells Jack in mockingly evil fashion that he’s just a product to her and his scruffy poor image needs some drastic overhaul. Even Ed Sheeran has fun with his own brand, able to give and take a good-natured ribbing. Jack’s parents are so focused on being supportive that they are blissfully unaware that their son is actually playing one of the greatest songs of all time in “Let it Be.” Proving that successful, talented or none of the above, parents just love their children. But Jack’s aggravation at their interruptions and mistaken titles are hysterically palpable.
From director Danny Boyle (SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE) and a screenplay by Richard Curtis (LOVE ACTUALLY), YESTERDAY is a sweet and humorous blend of the two pro’s strengths. The film is not even close to the best work of either talented gentlemen’s extensive playlist, however, the ease and originality is a welcome breath of fresh air in a film business that is overrun with sequels, superheroes, reboots, and mundane music biopics. But a romantic comedy doesn’t work without chemistry between two believable leads. And the delightful newcomer Himesh Patel and the always lovable Lily James “come together” perfectly.
Studio execs should take note, as the recent run of musical biopics seem to be more interested in showcasing the beloved hits rather than telling a compelling story. YESTERDAY does it better by opting for fiction. The music is still essential and is the heart that pumps the energy through the film, but at least we are given a creative way to incorporate our favorite music rather than telling the same retread of musicians struggling with drugs and fame.
YESTERDAY never takes itself too seriously nor does it try to overstate the butterfly effect in a world that has never heard of the Beatles. In fact, everything is basically the same as it was before, which helps keep the story light, focusing on its main message of love as the true key to a successful life. Even though many were surely influenced by The Beatles, one humorously helpful scene of Jack probing the internet for other famous musicians, proves everyone else is still here just as they were before. Well, Oasis doesn’t exist, but even Jack considers that an obvious one.
A running gag of other random missing items (No Coke?!) and people’s reactions to songs that seem to happen before Jack’s time (Back in the U.S.S.R.), keep the jovial, observational humor and the pacing of the story upbeat. The zany originality, warm-hearted sweetness, and obviously amazing Beatles soundtrack will have audiences grinning ear to ear. So grab a “ticket to ride” the YESTERDAY train, because the silly, irresistible charm will having you telling your loved one, “Hey dude,” “I want to hold your hand.”
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