Alright, Bingers. Answer me this: can you imagine the world now without the songs from The Beatles? No Hey Jude, no Eleanor Rigby, no Let It Be. Uncanny, right? Well, if you cannot imagine a world without The Beatles, imagine no more because that is what Yesterday explored in the movie starring Himesh Patel, Lily James, Ed Sheeran, and Kate McKinnon! I grew up listening to the songs by The Beatles and I thoroughly enjoyed the movie from start to finish. Bingers, here is our review of Yesterday:
The film directed by Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire) tells an original narrative featuring Jake (Patel), an aspiring musician who plays in small bars in their town. His musical dream has been nothing but a dream due to circumstances. While it is not all bad because of his long time friend, Ellie (James). The seemingly soon-to-be forgotten dream had a revisiting when a worldwide blackout changed their lives forever! Initially a casualty of the blackout, Jake woke up to a whole new world. A world where he is the only one who remembers and heard the song by The Beatles.
This fictional take had us wondering along with him what happened during the blackout and it was a fun experience. As the sole person who remembers the band’s hits, he reluctantly used this to catapult himself into stardom. From playing one The Beatles song after another, he slowly captivated the heart of the people, and soon the world!
Yesterday is not a straight-up comedy but it had this lighthearted vibe that had me smiling all throughout! While it featured the songs of the band, it did not play it like Across the Universe did. It instead used the songs to drive the plot and evoke emotions as the characters surf through their stories.
The musicality and the flow of the story are probably one of the most enjoyable parts of the film. None of it felt rushed and contrived. Perhaps it helped that the actors played their parts perfectly and are in fact oozing with charm! Patel and James had me cheering and tearing up for their characters. I have to specially mention Kate McKinnon because her comedy style for her character Debra had me in stitches. She plays a typically money-greedy talent manager and McKinnon played it perfectly! Others will find it obnoxious but as someone who has been following her since Saturday Night Live and Ghostbusters, McKinnon is a delight to watch!
Yesterday is a story of dreams, hope, and love told through the songs of The Beatles. The Beatles fan or not, Yesterday will bring joy and nothing but joy with its story and of course, great music renditions! Feel the love, cry in sadness and joy- let The Beatles remind us through this movie that all we need is love.
Director: Danny Boyle
Cast: Himesh Patel, Lily James, Kate McKinnon, Ed Sheeran
Binge-level: 5 out of 5 stars
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