Across the Universe

As a huge Beatles fan I jumped at the chance to see Across the Universe on the big screen again!  To say that I love this movie would be an understatement!  The narrative is informed by the lyrics of Beatles songs and tells the love story of Jude (Jim Sturgess) and Lucy (Evan Rachel Wood).  With a little help from their friends Max (Joe Anderson), Sadie (Dana Fuchs), Jo-Jo (Martin Luther McCoy), and Prudence (T.V. Carpio), they navigate the turbulent 1960s to discover that all you need is love.  I think the screenplay is extremely clever with lots of references to the Beatles (I find more every time I watch it).  I love every single Beatles song used but I especially love the staging of "I've Just Seen a Face," "If I Fell" "Let It Be" (which makes me cry), "I Want You (She's So Heavy)," "Something," "Revolution," "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," "Hey Jude," and "All You Need Is Love."  However, I'll be honest and say that I wait for the whole first half of the movie for Bono, who plays Dr. Robert, to sing "I Am the Walrus."  That whole sequence with the psychedelic bus is just so awesome and when he says, "You're either on the bus or off the bus," it just about kills me.  Words to live by!  The first time I saw this on the big screen I developed quite the crush on Jim Sturgess because he reminded me so much of a young Paul McCartney.  Seeing it again yesterday may have revived that crush because I couldn't take my eyes off him whenever he was on the screen.  I had so much fun watching this again and I had to stop myself from singing along.  I recommend that all Beatles fans take the opportunity to see this movie musical on the big screen as it was meant to be seen (go here for more information about screenings).  A splendid time is guaranteed for all!