Movie Review: Across the Universe

By Marella Flynn | gargoyle@flagler.edu

Beatles mania strikes again! Across the Universe tickles the ears and eyes of audiences across the nation by revealing an enchanting plot, told strictly through Beatles lyrics. Director Julie Taymor, known for directing “Frida,” created a magical story line that never ceases to entertain the senses.

Evan Rachel Wood, of Thirteen, shines as the lead role, Lucy, an All-American, girl-next-door turned war protester, while co-star Jim Sturgess plays Jude from Liverpool, England. New to the American eye, Sturgess delivers quite a performance, one that makes this contributor believe we will be seeing much more of him in the future.

Set in the 1960s Vietnam era, the movie follows the two characters, Lucy and Jude, through their trying times. Each scene contains a Beatles song for which the actors all recorded new renditions. For me, the actors were very talented and were perfectly suited for the movie. Sturgess captured John Lennon and Paul McCartney rather well, and Wood proves that she is more than just an actress. Dana Fuchs as Sadie channels Janis Joplin and was chosen from her Off-Broadway performance in “Love, Janis.” Martin Luther McCoy as Jo-Jo entertains the viewers as a sort of mellow Jimi Hendrix-like persona, while T.V. Caprio as Prudence delights the audience with her version of “I Want to Hold Your Hand.”

More than the story, the special effects truly astound the audience. One scene in particular, which features a cameo by Bono, portrays the 1960s psychedelic aspect of the age, with wildly colorful appearances and an overall kaleidoscopic imagery. Many scenes are literally indescribable and exceptionally brilliant.
I highly suggest this movie for anyone looking for a pick-me-up and a truly unique movie experience. You may even fall in love—with the movie that is—and why not? All you need is love.

Rated PG-13 for some drug content, nudity, sexuality, violence, and language; 131 minutes.