Nothing's Gonna Change This World

So, I did it. I sucked it up and went to see "Across the Universe". It was named for my favorite song by my favorite band, and let's face it, protagonist "Jude" was super cute. But it looked like the sort of thing artsy folks would die for, and sane people avoid in favor of more solid movies that make a little more sense.

I walked in, prepared to hate it, wanting desperately to love it. I left feeling weirded out, a little ill, but mostly--strangely-- satisfied.

Julie Taymor's bizarre little film (and it must be called a film... it's too "creative" to be called a movie) was disjointed and frayed at the edges. Certain parts made little sense, others were absurd to the point that I couldn't tell if I should laugh or shudder. There were parts that were dreamily artistic, and parts that were really pushing it--I mean, seriously, soldiers singing "She's So Heavy" while carrying the Statue of Liberty and trampling Vietnam? Please.

But there was a sincerity in the tone of "Across the Universe" which asked (if not demanded) that the audience listen. Even when the drunken college boys stumble around town singing and falling all over each other, the feeling that it all meant something never disappeared. When the high school cheerleader sang "I want to Hold Your Hand" while walking through a field of tumbling football players, the earnestness behind it all stayed my laughter.

Beyond that need to be taken seriously, though, the movie was mostly just a very pretty music video. The covers of the Beatles' music ranged from beautiful (Because) to boring (It Won't Be Long) to silly (Revolution) and finally, in my opinion, practically perfect (Across the Universe, what else?). Anything Dana Fuchs (Sadie) sang worked out very well, as did anything sung by Martin Luther McCoy and Joe Anderson. Bono and Eddie Izzard made cameos, the former better than the latter, although both were appreciated. "Come Together" was done brilliantly, and "Oh, Darling" could not have been covered better. Jim Sturgess sang an eerie and nice version of "Girl", and "Hey Jude" was managed cleanly and to good effect.

The acting was sturdy, the characters mainly likeable (the six main characters, Jude, Lucy, Max, Sadie, JoJo, and Prudence were all people I could deal with for more than an hour) and the story was sweet. But the film went on a bit long, and the political message was a little heavy handed. It said things that need to be said, but it said them the way I might have in a middle school history class (see: project from 8th grade history involving bandanas and a bag of oregano).

To be honest, I expected much worse, so "Across the Universe" did a good job of handling something that needed care. The Beatles and their music have taken some seriously hits, mainly due to advertising and Michael Jackson. They deserve better, especially the songs. "Hey, Jude", while not my favorite, is probably their best song, and it's treated with the respect it deserves, as are "Let it Be" and the titular song. So, despite the rather silly, pushy agenda of the well-meaning director, I feel that "Across the Universe" was a success.

p.s. "Gone, Baby, Gone"? GREAT movie.