Recently shown on cable tv the movie opens with a disclaimer distancing itself from any co-operation of real life persons; that in itself is an eye catcher. Yet the script and acting from the main characters is superb and I found myself engrossed throughout.Due in no small way to the crisp, thoughtful and interesting dialogue.The film is about a meeting on one day between two real life musical "legends" who formerly composed together then seperated.The film captures the essence of their lives and philosophies, in a story which proffers an explanation for their initial "split". What is so impressive is that the actors give such seemingly realistic portrayals of the characters they play,faults and all, that this viewer at least was left believing I was witnessing a true event in almost every detail. The great skill of this play is that with astute writing and fine acting a movie basically about "two of us" talking can make an excellent picture. Worthy of at least an 8 out of 10.
36 Reviews
A fairly accurate look into the Beatles breakup and the relationship between John & Paul
Xophianic2 February 2000
I am a big Beatles fan. My favorite Beatle is Paul and my least favorite is John. I already knew quite a bit about the Beatles music and the truth behind the breakup, as well as things like John Lennon's family and Paul's band Wings. I was curious to see how this movie would handle the relationship between John and Paul so many years after the breakup.
I was not disappointed by this movie. Although the story itself is fiction, many of the references that the two musicians used were very accurate. These included how Yoko Ono would always be with John wherever he went, the Wings song "Silly Love Songs" being the number one hit that year and the concert on the roof of Apple Studios playing music from the album "Let It Be."
The actors did a very good job in playing John and Paul. The accents could had used maybe a bit more work, but they seemed to act a lot like I've read the two former-Beatles used to act like. I also liked the dialogue between them, which was basically what the entire movie was.
The ending at first disappointed me, but the more you think about it the more you will appreciate it, especially since this was how it really went in real life. They also show the fantastic skit from "Saturday Night Live" in which the Beatles are offered $3,000 to perform on the show. (as compared to the $220 million others were offering them) Overall, I was not disappointed with this movie. It does really give you more of a feel for why the Beatles broke up and why they never got back together.
I was not disappointed by this movie. Although the story itself is fiction, many of the references that the two musicians used were very accurate. These included how Yoko Ono would always be with John wherever he went, the Wings song "Silly Love Songs" being the number one hit that year and the concert on the roof of Apple Studios playing music from the album "Let It Be."
The actors did a very good job in playing John and Paul. The accents could had used maybe a bit more work, but they seemed to act a lot like I've read the two former-Beatles used to act like. I also liked the dialogue between them, which was basically what the entire movie was.
The ending at first disappointed me, but the more you think about it the more you will appreciate it, especially since this was how it really went in real life. They also show the fantastic skit from "Saturday Night Live" in which the Beatles are offered $3,000 to perform on the show. (as compared to the $220 million others were offering them) Overall, I was not disappointed with this movie. It does really give you more of a feel for why the Beatles broke up and why they never got back together.
Not great, but worth a watch.
_AW_2 February 2000
Well, it wasn't great, and I wasn't really convinced by the John Lennon character, but it was still well worth watching...if you're a Beatles fan.
It's kind of a "what if" movie that bases its entire premise on "what if this happened one day" and pulls it off.
Much of the movie is just John and Paul talking back and forth, which is surprisingly well done. Such long stretches on one-on-one dialog can often be clumsy and forced, but the writer and actors do a fine job of holding your attention.
It's kind of a "what if" movie that bases its entire premise on "what if this happened one day" and pulls it off.
Much of the movie is just John and Paul talking back and forth, which is surprisingly well done. Such long stretches on one-on-one dialog can often be clumsy and forced, but the writer and actors do a fine job of holding your attention.
Imagine there's no quarrels.......it's easy if you're VH1
jazwumun1 September 2000
As a musician, and devout worshipper of the Beatles, I was more than a little bit puzzled as to how VH1 could and would pull off the fictional "reunion" of perhaps, the most significant songwriters in the last millenium. I was worried that it would drip of the saccharine "Baby Boomerism" that made films such as Forrest Gump walk the indefinable line between touching and nauseatingly univiewed. I must say to VH1's credit, that unlike the horrific job they did with the Meat Loaf story "To Hell and Back.," this was subtle, and endearing without sacrificing a reality that grounded it in the here and now.
Firstly, Paul and John did in fact meet in New York to patch up their differences on that day in 1976, he has said that in interviews...what is different about the actual reunion is that Yoko was present in real life and was absent here for the film, which is already the first entry into fiction, and let's face it...a convenient one. Jared Harris, was absolutely breathtaking as John, right on down to the way he'd pace his speech patterns. Attention to actual accents was less important to me, than the pattern they were so known for. I will admit that the continual delving into the past he couldn't and wouldn't let go of, i.e., the death of the mother who had abandoned him as a child and the father who was as useless as balls on the Pope, got to be a bit soap opera-like, but no matter, the wit, the phrasing and the intensity that only Lennon had, was very closely brought back here.
Aidan Quinn as Mc.Cartney was not only astonishingly surprising, he was literally dead on. He was Paul, the charming, soft spoken, romantic thinker and apt businessman with the "pretty face" that even after the harshest of words could still reach down and stir John's battered soul in the way Yoko never could (nothing against Yoko of course...)
The movie was small, and I'm grateful for that because it gave one the ability to be the fly on the wall...and those moments as great in magnitude as they have the potential to be, are in fact quite small. John was the rebel, Paul the romantic realist, both wanted peace, both achieved it in the end. I absolutely choked up during the end of the film, cause you know as Paul walks out the door, that John's all too horrific ending is now inevitable.
As I shut the TV off, one thing was left with me...
"And in the end...the love you take...is equal to the love you make."
Firstly, Paul and John did in fact meet in New York to patch up their differences on that day in 1976, he has said that in interviews...what is different about the actual reunion is that Yoko was present in real life and was absent here for the film, which is already the first entry into fiction, and let's face it...a convenient one. Jared Harris, was absolutely breathtaking as John, right on down to the way he'd pace his speech patterns. Attention to actual accents was less important to me, than the pattern they were so known for. I will admit that the continual delving into the past he couldn't and wouldn't let go of, i.e., the death of the mother who had abandoned him as a child and the father who was as useless as balls on the Pope, got to be a bit soap opera-like, but no matter, the wit, the phrasing and the intensity that only Lennon had, was very closely brought back here.
Aidan Quinn as Mc.Cartney was not only astonishingly surprising, he was literally dead on. He was Paul, the charming, soft spoken, romantic thinker and apt businessman with the "pretty face" that even after the harshest of words could still reach down and stir John's battered soul in the way Yoko never could (nothing against Yoko of course...)
The movie was small, and I'm grateful for that because it gave one the ability to be the fly on the wall...and those moments as great in magnitude as they have the potential to be, are in fact quite small. John was the rebel, Paul the romantic realist, both wanted peace, both achieved it in the end. I absolutely choked up during the end of the film, cause you know as Paul walks out the door, that John's all too horrific ending is now inevitable.
As I shut the TV off, one thing was left with me...
"And in the end...the love you take...is equal to the love you make."
Surprisingly good!
Pat-1813 February 2000
I still wonder why I watched this movie. Admittedly, before I viewed this film, I knew practicly nothing about the beatles. I didn't even know all their names! All I knew was that they had a ton of fans, they had some albums that some people claim to be the greatest ever, they broke up, John married Yoko Ono, and John was murdered.
Also, VH1 isn't even my favorite music station, MTV is. Still, for some reason or another I decided to watch it, not expecting much. Surprisingly, I enjoyed it very much! The dialogue was written and handled very well with the occasion of a slight accent mess up. This is very important, because John and Paul talking is pretty much the whole film, allthough they are taken outside to explore more possibilities, and to keep you watching. Jared Harris and Adien Quinn give good performaces,overall.
The ending was also very smart. I enjoyed how the movie gets you excited about the SNL performace, and then slaps you over the head and makes you realize that it would be better if they just let it go, and end it on a good note. My favorite moment is probably the touching rooftop scene.
Overall, I recommend this film to almost everyone. It is a very good way of settling your curiosity of what could have happened if 6 years after the break up Paul just showed up on John's doorstep. Which is probably the main reason of my viewing this film, settling my curiosity on who the beatles really were and what could have happened to them after the breakup.
Also, VH1 isn't even my favorite music station, MTV is. Still, for some reason or another I decided to watch it, not expecting much. Surprisingly, I enjoyed it very much! The dialogue was written and handled very well with the occasion of a slight accent mess up. This is very important, because John and Paul talking is pretty much the whole film, allthough they are taken outside to explore more possibilities, and to keep you watching. Jared Harris and Adien Quinn give good performaces,overall.
The ending was also very smart. I enjoyed how the movie gets you excited about the SNL performace, and then slaps you over the head and makes you realize that it would be better if they just let it go, and end it on a good note. My favorite moment is probably the touching rooftop scene.
Overall, I recommend this film to almost everyone. It is a very good way of settling your curiosity of what could have happened if 6 years after the break up Paul just showed up on John's doorstep. Which is probably the main reason of my viewing this film, settling my curiosity on who the beatles really were and what could have happened to them after the breakup.
better than i expected
mrmalz2 February 2000
this was a real guilt pleasure ... i saw the trailer and all the advertising, so i figured 'why not check out this vh1 movie?' and, as they used to say on t.v., 'i can't believe i watched the whole thing!' quinn and harris were believable beatle boys, and, although the accents were sort of over-the-top and difficult to decipher at times, i found the dialogue believable as well. the film touched upon the tenuous relationship of len/mc and showed how, deep down, they were simply two guys who grew up close together and shared a passion for music - coming at it, though, with different sets of issues and personal needs. you find yourself wishing they'd hopped in the cab to snl for an impromptu reunion that would have knocked the world's socks off, but you also gain a greater appreciation for why they didn't
Surprisingly good
itamarscomix25 September 2005
Being the Beatlemaniac that I am, I approached Two Of Us with a combination of fear and fascination. Having seen 'In His Life: The John Lennon Story', I was quite concerned that Two Of Us will turn out no better. The fact that Aidan Quinn and Jared Harris look absolutely nothing like John Lennon and Paul McCartney even with some make-up and proper hairdos didn't help one bit.
But I was more than a bit pleasantly surprised. It's probably thanks to the involvement of Michael Lindsay-Hogg, who directed Let It Be in 1970 and consequently probably knew John and Paul quite well, that the characters and the dialogue came across as convincing as they did. (The writing credit for Two Of Us is given to a man named Mark Stanfield, of whom I know absolutely nothing; I feel confident that director Lindsay-Hogg had more than a bit to do with the script.) Two Of Us is not a biography of the Beatles; it has very little plot, in fact, and takes place all in one day in New York City. What it does is imagine a meeting between John and Paul in 1976, while John lived in New York. That meeting is entirely fictitious, of course though it can't truly be disproved that such a meeting actually took place. But through that imagined conversation it gives us a glimpse into the personalities of these two great musicians their intelligence, their sense of humor, their different reaction to stardom, and most of all their relationship; what made them such a great team, and what broke them up.
Since it's a talk movie, nothing much except for dialogue between two characters for an hour and a half, it's likely to bore all but true fans of the Beatles; but it's a fantastic piece of writing and storytelling, and is both informative and touching. For those interested in these two musical giants, very quickly you'll get over the shock of how different the actors look from their counterparts and feel like John and Paul had come to life so intimate and convincing is the script, and so committed are the actors. Two Of Us gives you priceless insight into the lives of two geniuses, and a tale that is both sad and funny. Most certainly recommended.
But I was more than a bit pleasantly surprised. It's probably thanks to the involvement of Michael Lindsay-Hogg, who directed Let It Be in 1970 and consequently probably knew John and Paul quite well, that the characters and the dialogue came across as convincing as they did. (The writing credit for Two Of Us is given to a man named Mark Stanfield, of whom I know absolutely nothing; I feel confident that director Lindsay-Hogg had more than a bit to do with the script.) Two Of Us is not a biography of the Beatles; it has very little plot, in fact, and takes place all in one day in New York City. What it does is imagine a meeting between John and Paul in 1976, while John lived in New York. That meeting is entirely fictitious, of course though it can't truly be disproved that such a meeting actually took place. But through that imagined conversation it gives us a glimpse into the personalities of these two great musicians their intelligence, their sense of humor, their different reaction to stardom, and most of all their relationship; what made them such a great team, and what broke them up.
Since it's a talk movie, nothing much except for dialogue between two characters for an hour and a half, it's likely to bore all but true fans of the Beatles; but it's a fantastic piece of writing and storytelling, and is both informative and touching. For those interested in these two musical giants, very quickly you'll get over the shock of how different the actors look from their counterparts and feel like John and Paul had come to life so intimate and convincing is the script, and so committed are the actors. Two Of Us gives you priceless insight into the lives of two geniuses, and a tale that is both sad and funny. Most certainly recommended.
Has some things going for it but flawed
druce6 January 2018
The cast are strong but we can never quite suspend disbelief they way you can in the best re-enactments ('Ray' or "Man in the Moon"). Maybe we know Lennon and McCartney too well. Maybe 30% of the time they have real chemistry. The movie is more serious than one might expect. It might have been better emphasizing the zany moments and the comic interplay, with dramatic tension at the beginning and end. It's heavy on McCartney probing Lennon's issues and insecurities. It may be historically accurate that Lennon went off the deep end with drugs and narcissistic provocations, artistically and in personal dealings, but presenting him as a sad sack and tragic figure and stripping away the charisma and brilliance takes away from the drama. It attempts a deep portrait but nobly falls a little short. Feels like an award-winning school play. There's material in here for a pretty great movie like 'Mozart' meets 'That Championship Season' but ultimately falls a bit short.
It's exactly as I imagined it!!!
benoit-37 July 2003
Let's cut to the chase: If you're a baby-boomer, you inevitably spent some time wondering at the fact that, in 1976, McCartney had the gumption to drop in on John's city hermit life and spend the day with him. You also certainly wondered how things went. I heard the exact same reports that the writer of this film heard, from John's and Paul's perspective, and I admit that I reconstructed the meeting in pretty much the same way this film does. But none of my imaginings could have bought tears to my eyes the way this incredible piece of work and acting does. I found it amazingly lifelike, perfectly plausible and 100 % saccharin-free. Now, can anyone explain why I didn't hear of this masterpiece before it was shown by the CBC last night? I mean it's already three years old, for goodness sake! And yes, if you're a Beatles fan, this is a must-see performance! Even the subtle paraphrasing of Beatles' melodies in the background is inspired.
McLennon supremacy
zjfmmmbr31 August 2021
It was an interesting film, I really think that it's closer to the reality than most of the documentaries. It really shows why the Abbey Road Studio staff called Paul John's princess and why was Yoko Ono jealous of Paul and the song Here Today and many many other stuff.
Cliché
Edermike28 June 2006
This movie is one long cliché after another. First of all, though they did their share, there is a unwarranted dope scene where John sniffs weed like an idiot. The wigs and accents are terrible. They sound worse then the old Beatle cartoons. John is the nasty, envious, closet homosexual, slave to Yoko he is portrayed as being in the discredited Albert Goldman book. They even keep spouting song titles in regular conversation "it was always just the Two Of Us"! John would not have been mean to his fans like this either. Like his death showed us he was too nice if anything. The one funny scene is where a dumb Beatle fan only recognizes John and asks him to sing Paul's Yesterday. An insulted John says something along the lines of "Sure and while I croon why don't you get down on your knees, put on your wife's wig, and lick my liggin". That made me laugh for days. Really this movie is funny in how serious it tries to be while coming off ridiculous. John and Paul also did not sit pontificating all day, they were funny light hearted guys who even during The Beatles break up where far more personable then portrayed here. Forget it.
One of the best Beatles films without the Beatles in it!
beatlesgirl2430 December 2003
Warning: Spoilers
Very Slight Spoiler
This movie (despite being only on TV) is absolutely excellent. I didn`t really pay attention to the differences in looks or accents, so I can`t really comment on that. The acting in this was so good I had to pinch myself and say "Remember, it`s only a movie, this DIDN`T REALLY HAPPEN". As I sat and listened to Harris and Quinn talk, I knew that it was exactly what John and Paul would be talking about had they actually had this meeting. The offhanded comments and burns from John were right on with his character(especially in the restaurant!), as was his depression while Paul was very easy going and laid back. Both actors did and excellent job and I was thrilled to have seen this movie. It`s a wicked experience for any Beatles fan. And prepare for a few surprises!
This movie (despite being only on TV) is absolutely excellent. I didn`t really pay attention to the differences in looks or accents, so I can`t really comment on that. The acting in this was so good I had to pinch myself and say "Remember, it`s only a movie, this DIDN`T REALLY HAPPEN". As I sat and listened to Harris and Quinn talk, I knew that it was exactly what John and Paul would be talking about had they actually had this meeting. The offhanded comments and burns from John were right on with his character(especially in the restaurant!), as was his depression while Paul was very easy going and laid back. Both actors did and excellent job and I was thrilled to have seen this movie. It`s a wicked experience for any Beatles fan. And prepare for a few surprises!
Hmm
Jeremy_Urquhart16 November 2022
Two of Us is a very strange movie. It's sort of fan-fiction before fan-fiction was popular, as it imagines a conversation between John Lennon and Paul McCartney in 1976, and really isn't based on any actual events. There are plenty of references to things that happened around that time and before it, though, making it a strange example of a "historical" related drama.
It's... interesting. I don't know if I could quite call it good. The actors are both pretty good, although I do think Jared Harris did a better job at playing Lennon than Aidan Quinn did at playing McCartney. He pushes harder, and runs the risk of seeming like more of a caricature than a character, but maybe that's true to Lennon; he did seem like a strange guy, and Harris captures that here.
There's not a whole lot to it, other than the conversations. It's sort of like a movie in the Before Trilogy, but with actors impersonating the two best Beatles (fight me, George fans) instead of Jesse and Celine. It's definitely not as good, though - just has a similar feel.
I will say that occasionally, the dialogue is really bad, but most scenes aren't impacted. It's strange how bad the odd line or two of dialogue is. Like, so on the nose, and strange that they made the final version of the script.
Overall, I can just barely get this to a passing grade. It's kind of clunky, but kind of interesting, and kind of well-acted. An odd movie, but it didn't take up too much of my time, and I didn't really mind watching it.
It's... interesting. I don't know if I could quite call it good. The actors are both pretty good, although I do think Jared Harris did a better job at playing Lennon than Aidan Quinn did at playing McCartney. He pushes harder, and runs the risk of seeming like more of a caricature than a character, but maybe that's true to Lennon; he did seem like a strange guy, and Harris captures that here.
There's not a whole lot to it, other than the conversations. It's sort of like a movie in the Before Trilogy, but with actors impersonating the two best Beatles (fight me, George fans) instead of Jesse and Celine. It's definitely not as good, though - just has a similar feel.
I will say that occasionally, the dialogue is really bad, but most scenes aren't impacted. It's strange how bad the odd line or two of dialogue is. Like, so on the nose, and strange that they made the final version of the script.
Overall, I can just barely get this to a passing grade. It's kind of clunky, but kind of interesting, and kind of well-acted. An odd movie, but it didn't take up too much of my time, and I didn't really mind watching it.
Moving Tribute to Two of the Best!
tkp9256 Kelly Perkins21 May 2001
When this movie was first advertised on VH1, I was extremely sceptical. But, the closer the day came for airing, the more the advertising gave us different teaser glimpses and it intrigued me. By the time of broadcast, I was determined to watch it, albeit with my sharp critique in tact. Well, to my utmost surprise, I was absolutely amazed at the acting and simple premise of the flick. I actually had to stop several times to remind myself that this wasn't really Lennon and McCartney, but extremely talented actors with a very accurate (in spirit) script. Both Aidan Quinn and Jared Harris deserved awards for their touching performances of two of history's most talented and prolific songwriters.
Entertaining but dishonest
rose-130 April 2012
Much of the dialog of this movie I enjoyed. I was drawn into believing that this could have happened. But I know it didn't. In fact I would doubt that much of it would have happened even if McCartney would have spent the day with just Lennon in New York. If the movie would have even been based on actual events, then it may have worked. Creating history does an injustice to all the real characters. For this reason, a well acted and interesting movie gets a thumbs down from me. The only reason it gets a 6 is because of its acting, and some of the writing. The Beatles phenomena is one of the best stories of the 20th Century. There is no need to make anything up. Writers and directors need only tell it truthfully and honestly.
Not bad, but not quite
neil-47618 January 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Paul McCartney drops in on John Lennon in New York during the late 1970s. The two talk.
This film reimagines a meeting which actually happened, but in the absence of Yoko Ono and Linda McCartney, who were both there on the day in question. Jared Harris plays Lennon, and Aiden Quinn plays McCartney. Both are excellent actors, and both performances hit a place halfway between impression and interpretation, albeit the accents are a bit hit and miss at times. All this is OK.
The question, though, is does it work? We are presented with a day which could have happened. Right at the start, I tripped over the fact that it didn't happen, and never really got up. Wish fulfilment is a powerful thing. I wish The Beatles hadn't broken up, and I wish John hadn't been murdered. If I was going for a wish fulfilment story I would have gone for something a bit more consequential.
So while I discount the story, the script isn't bad and drops in lots of details which show that the writers know their stuff. Sadly, Michael Lindsay-Hogg's direction is on the pedestrian side. I wanted to enjoy this a lot more than I did.
This film reimagines a meeting which actually happened, but in the absence of Yoko Ono and Linda McCartney, who were both there on the day in question. Jared Harris plays Lennon, and Aiden Quinn plays McCartney. Both are excellent actors, and both performances hit a place halfway between impression and interpretation, albeit the accents are a bit hit and miss at times. All this is OK.
The question, though, is does it work? We are presented with a day which could have happened. Right at the start, I tripped over the fact that it didn't happen, and never really got up. Wish fulfilment is a powerful thing. I wish The Beatles hadn't broken up, and I wish John hadn't been murdered. If I was going for a wish fulfilment story I would have gone for something a bit more consequential.
So while I discount the story, the script isn't bad and drops in lots of details which show that the writers know their stuff. Sadly, Michael Lindsay-Hogg's direction is on the pedestrian side. I wanted to enjoy this a lot more than I did.
A interesting exploration of the possibilities
Lennon-32 February 2000
I sat down to watch this film with much trepidation and little hope. I didn't think it would be possible for this film to live up to its subject matter. But it absolutely did, and then some. First, I must say that Jared Harris did an extraordinary job as John Lennon. At times it seemed that Harris was channeling Lennon. The resemblance was often uncanny, and he clearly studied Lennon's mannerisms and vocal inflections. Aiden Quinn was quite good as McCartney, also bearing a striking resemblance to Macca, although he did occasionally trip over his Scouse accent.
This work of fiction was well-written and well-directed. It was pure fantasy, of course, but sometimes I felt like a voyeur peeking through a keyhole at this reunion. The rooftop scene was especially moving, as McCartney told Lennon what he had never heard as a child--that he was worthy and important, and it could never be his fault that he was abandoned by his parents. I also enjoyed the scene in the park where the pair of them danced with absolute abandon to the reggae band!
My one complaint would be this: I am not so sure that John was as caustic as he was portrayed in the film at this stage in his life. He had settled in to his domestic situation quite nicely, and he was actually known to be quite friendly when approached by fans. Only a few years later, he was very friendly when he was first approached by his assassin for an autograph on the day he was murdered.
Mostly this film served to stir up those feelings again about what might have been had John lived a bit longer. I am quite sure the Beatles would have come back together at some stage. And I am quite certain that Lennon and McCartney would still be friends today.
Well done, VH1. I will watch it again and again.
This work of fiction was well-written and well-directed. It was pure fantasy, of course, but sometimes I felt like a voyeur peeking through a keyhole at this reunion. The rooftop scene was especially moving, as McCartney told Lennon what he had never heard as a child--that he was worthy and important, and it could never be his fault that he was abandoned by his parents. I also enjoyed the scene in the park where the pair of them danced with absolute abandon to the reggae band!
My one complaint would be this: I am not so sure that John was as caustic as he was portrayed in the film at this stage in his life. He had settled in to his domestic situation quite nicely, and he was actually known to be quite friendly when approached by fans. Only a few years later, he was very friendly when he was first approached by his assassin for an autograph on the day he was murdered.
Mostly this film served to stir up those feelings again about what might have been had John lived a bit longer. I am quite sure the Beatles would have come back together at some stage. And I am quite certain that Lennon and McCartney would still be friends today.
Well done, VH1. I will watch it again and again.
A must-see for all Beatles fans.
KoolJool8179 February 2003
This film is worth seeing alone for Jared Harris' outstanding portrayal of John Lennon. It doesn't matter that Harris doesn't exactly resemble Lennon; his mannerisms, expressions, posture, accent and attitude are pure Lennon. Best scene: Lennon in a local cafe verbally sparring with a stuttering fan as to whether Paul McCartney & Wings' "Silly Love Songs" is worthy of #1 status in America.
Nice Surprise
tibejordan1 February 2000
I admit I had some trepidation when I first saw the previews for this film. Was VH-1 treading on hollow ground here? I mean, Harris and Quinn don't really look or even sound like John or Paul. But I have to admit, this film really surprised me. It's far from the exploitation film I expected. Instead, it's a character study, a low-key, whimsical, and ultimately bittersweet look at friendship, and the ultimate lesson we all learn: it's hard, if not impossible, to capture what we once had, and what has passed us by.
Touching and Wonderful
lgammaray26 February 2000
I absolutely loved this film! I was hesitant to watch it at first because I thought it would be too painful. I remember how hard it was when John was shot. However, watching the "Two of Us" took me back to a happier time when he was still alive and there was hope and possibility. I think that the writer did an amazing job depicting what "might have been." Aidan Quinn was adorable as Paul and met the challenge head on. I was impressed with his accent and mannerisms. Jared Harris is also very talented and was quite believable as John. My favorite parts were the scene in the park and the rooftop scene - which was so poignant. The film left me with both sadness and satisfaction, both of which I feel are appropriate, given the circumstances.
A very nice surprise, with solid writing...
Zeus-144 February 2000
I wouldn't have expected most musicians or Beatles fans to like this film, what with our expectations and a feeling like we own our image of them in some personal sense, but I'm glad that many here did, because I think it is an excellent character study, regardless of whether it happened or not. And I think that especially for the general public, who may not have known much about John and Paul, at least outside of the Beatles, it gave an interesting portrayal of them as the remarkable people they were (and are, in Paul's case), both in good and bad ways, and accurately expressed some of the dynamic that they had between them, both in terms of friendship and conflict. Not that any of it was specifically accurate or would have happened that way, necessarily, but I think the dynamic itself was accurate, at least in terms of the mythology and perception we've gleaned from what we know about them and how they felt about eachother.
The only things I didn't like were parts of the rooftop scene, which kind of made Paul into a pseudo-saviour for John, although in terms of trying to instill some dramatics into the show, that was probably a valid device (John clearly had more demons and things unresolved in his life than Paul), and the scene of them in the park, which just seemed pointless. However, as they were walking into the park, there was a great line, where some guy asks John for change to help 'save the seals', and John says "I don't think they'd listen". I don't know if Lennon ever said that, but you've gotta admit, that's a great Lennon-esque line, and indicative of the sharp writing in this film...
EE
The only things I didn't like were parts of the rooftop scene, which kind of made Paul into a pseudo-saviour for John, although in terms of trying to instill some dramatics into the show, that was probably a valid device (John clearly had more demons and things unresolved in his life than Paul), and the scene of them in the park, which just seemed pointless. However, as they were walking into the park, there was a great line, where some guy asks John for change to help 'save the seals', and John says "I don't think they'd listen". I don't know if Lennon ever said that, but you've gotta admit, that's a great Lennon-esque line, and indicative of the sharp writing in this film...
EE
Great writing!
secampbell6 July 2016
I think this was an HBO movie back in 2000. At the time, I thought it was a true story of Lennon and McCartney getting together after the Beatles split. Then I learned it was a fictional account.
Lennon could be such a nasty guy at times. Paul was a lot nicer. Both are portrayed authentically in this movie. It's really an amazing, long, fictional sketch of how a meeting between them might have played out.
One can easily imagine Lennon and McCartney having these conversations and goofing around like this. Incredible writing by "Mark Stanfield". Don't know how he came up with the dialogue. Really amazing.
Lennon could be such a nasty guy at times. Paul was a lot nicer. Both are portrayed authentically in this movie. It's really an amazing, long, fictional sketch of how a meeting between them might have played out.
One can easily imagine Lennon and McCartney having these conversations and goofing around like this. Incredible writing by "Mark Stanfield". Don't know how he came up with the dialogue. Really amazing.
What a Web Following . . .
rstanjon-128 March 2013
This movie has become internationally known (and translated and uploaded to the Web (but rent or buy it so that you can view the whole movie without any breaks)) because of its touching treatment of the relationship between Paul and John. The writing is excellent. The movie stands the test of time.
Mark Stanfield's writing breaks through the perceived stalemates between John and Paul. The viewer gets to see them go beyond the wisecracks (although there are plenty of those--and familiar ones, too) to express emotion we the viewer wish we had seen in them. The movie ventures into the possible, which is completely believable.
There are some wonderful settings: What is supposed to be Cafe Fortuna, Central Park, Yoko's white apartment, all believable. Nice comedy moments. Wonderful film.
Mark Stanfield's writing breaks through the perceived stalemates between John and Paul. The viewer gets to see them go beyond the wisecracks (although there are plenty of those--and familiar ones, too) to express emotion we the viewer wish we had seen in them. The movie ventures into the possible, which is completely believable.
There are some wonderful settings: What is supposed to be Cafe Fortuna, Central Park, Yoko's white apartment, all believable. Nice comedy moments. Wonderful film.
My Dinner With The Walrus
D_Burke18 September 2010
Two of the Beatles, John Lennon and George Harrison, are deceased as of the date this review is being written, thereby officially nullifying any chances of the Beatles reuniting. Of course, in the mid 70's, with Paul, George, and Ringo busy making music and John taking a break from the public life, there was still a possibility for a Beatles reunion. Some people were willing to pay millions just to see all four of them on stage together again, even if it meant only playing a few songs. Lorne Michaels offered $3,000, but that's beside the point. The Beatles were still prolific even when Peter Frampton and Aerosmith were hitting the airwaves and disco was creeping into pop culture.
Naturally, it would only be a matter of time before someone would make a movie documenting a possible encounter between John and Paul, even if the dialogue was fictitious. There's a lot of pressure for such a movie to be good, and someone could easily screw it up. Fortunately, although this film may have benefited from being a play first, and it could be a play now if someone wanted to put it together, "Two Of Us" passes on most counts.
"Two Of Us", the title being taken from one of the Beatles' last songs, imagines what a conversation between Lennon and McCartney would be like if they were to meet at Lennon's New York City apartment on April 24, 1976. Actually, they did meet on this date in real life according to Lennon, but what their conversation really entailed remains a mystery that McCartney has yet to extrapolate on. When (or if) he does, he could put it in a book that would easily be a best seller. Meanwhile, writer Mark Stanfield makes his best guess with this screenplay.
One of this movie's main strengths is that it acknowledges first and foremost that it is fictional. Such a fact is good to know, and other movie makers may hide this fact at the end of the closing credits. The fact that this movie doesn't stoop to such a low is refreshing.
While the script is fictional, it is also believable thanks to the stellar performances of Jared Harris as Lennon and Aiden Quinn as McCartney. Quinn was an interesting casting choice because unlike Harris, he is not British, and, while not an A-lister, he is better known. There may have been the temptation to cast a McCartney lookalike over Quinn, but fortunately, Quinn does a remarkable job portraying the humbleness and outgoing personality we all know of the "cute" Beatle. Even something slight as the way Quinn widens his eyes is eerily similar to Sir Paul. A few times Quinn slips slightly out of his British accent, but not often.
Harris may have had it easier playing Lennon, who was less in the public eye. However, while other actors may have portrayed Lennon solely as an introvert, Harris gives him more dimensions, showing his serious side in the apartment, and his clown-like side as he pretends to be a German tourist in Central Park.
The film could have stayed within Lennon's apartment and still have been interesting. However, I liked it when Lennon and McCartney ventured (in disguise) into the city. The Central Park scene was funny, especially when they encountered police on horseback. The scenes when fans recognized them were a bit off, since I would think fans of the Beatles would be a lot less reserved. Plus, one woman recognized both Lennon and McCartney, and didn't even try to rush to a pay phone to call her friends. Hmmm . . .
Tying in Lorne Michaels' infamous $3,000 offer to reunite the Beatles on "Saturday Night Live" (which was then "NBC's Saturday Night") was the cherry on the top of this movie. In fact, the scene when Lennon and McCartney contemplate showing up to the SNL studios was surprisingly poignant, and the result added a real human touch to this original film.
Although this film was a TV movie (airing on VH1 in 2000), it was a higher quality than other TV movies. They could have easily released this film into theaters if they wanted to. Nevertheless, whatever way you watch it, the intriguing conversation and strong acting will draw you in and may make you sad to leave.
Naturally, it would only be a matter of time before someone would make a movie documenting a possible encounter between John and Paul, even if the dialogue was fictitious. There's a lot of pressure for such a movie to be good, and someone could easily screw it up. Fortunately, although this film may have benefited from being a play first, and it could be a play now if someone wanted to put it together, "Two Of Us" passes on most counts.
"Two Of Us", the title being taken from one of the Beatles' last songs, imagines what a conversation between Lennon and McCartney would be like if they were to meet at Lennon's New York City apartment on April 24, 1976. Actually, they did meet on this date in real life according to Lennon, but what their conversation really entailed remains a mystery that McCartney has yet to extrapolate on. When (or if) he does, he could put it in a book that would easily be a best seller. Meanwhile, writer Mark Stanfield makes his best guess with this screenplay.
One of this movie's main strengths is that it acknowledges first and foremost that it is fictional. Such a fact is good to know, and other movie makers may hide this fact at the end of the closing credits. The fact that this movie doesn't stoop to such a low is refreshing.
While the script is fictional, it is also believable thanks to the stellar performances of Jared Harris as Lennon and Aiden Quinn as McCartney. Quinn was an interesting casting choice because unlike Harris, he is not British, and, while not an A-lister, he is better known. There may have been the temptation to cast a McCartney lookalike over Quinn, but fortunately, Quinn does a remarkable job portraying the humbleness and outgoing personality we all know of the "cute" Beatle. Even something slight as the way Quinn widens his eyes is eerily similar to Sir Paul. A few times Quinn slips slightly out of his British accent, but not often.
Harris may have had it easier playing Lennon, who was less in the public eye. However, while other actors may have portrayed Lennon solely as an introvert, Harris gives him more dimensions, showing his serious side in the apartment, and his clown-like side as he pretends to be a German tourist in Central Park.
The film could have stayed within Lennon's apartment and still have been interesting. However, I liked it when Lennon and McCartney ventured (in disguise) into the city. The Central Park scene was funny, especially when they encountered police on horseback. The scenes when fans recognized them were a bit off, since I would think fans of the Beatles would be a lot less reserved. Plus, one woman recognized both Lennon and McCartney, and didn't even try to rush to a pay phone to call her friends. Hmmm . . .
Tying in Lorne Michaels' infamous $3,000 offer to reunite the Beatles on "Saturday Night Live" (which was then "NBC's Saturday Night") was the cherry on the top of this movie. In fact, the scene when Lennon and McCartney contemplate showing up to the SNL studios was surprisingly poignant, and the result added a real human touch to this original film.
Although this film was a TV movie (airing on VH1 in 2000), it was a higher quality than other TV movies. They could have easily released this film into theaters if they wanted to. Nevertheless, whatever way you watch it, the intriguing conversation and strong acting will draw you in and may make you sad to leave.
PLEASE PLEASE LET IT BE
brendanchenowith-6653820 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I saw the DVD in a library yesterday, haven't seen it in years and thought I'd give it another spin. I enjoyed the movie more this time around than I previously had. Granted, for a while my first viewing, I couldn't hear the song "Silly Love Songs" without the voice of Jared Harris sneering the title. When I saw it again last night, I knew it was over 40 years since they hung out and blew off crashing the set of Saturday Night, but I was still thinking "oh, please, please let it be". For years I'd imagined what that crash-guest spot would have looked and sounded like. Later on, folks such as Streisand and Madonna popped up, but it was SO not the same.
Anyway, on a Saturday afternoon in 1976, Paul (Aidan Quinn) is on tour in New York and decides to stop by John's (Jared Harris) apartment for a visit. John's a bit skeptical over why he turned up, but since he was convinced Paul wasn't interested in getting the Beatles back together, he relaxed and they had a great chat, meditating in the bedroom, out for a bite at a neighborhood diner, and a nice intimate chat on the rooftop of the Dakota. There are some tense moments, even an after-the-fact row from both points of view about how the rest of the band treated Yoko when she gate-crashed their careers. You honest feel for both of them. I for one wouldn't really know what to do on either side. Would I be nicer to my buddy's girlfriend, as much as I was put off by her? Would I be super-defensive and think my buddies were ganging up on me and were out to get me and hated me because of this chick I've been seeing? It's a tough call.
A highlight for me is when John and Paul sneak off to a diner to grab some decidedly non-macrobiotic food, Paul is unrecognizable in his disguise, as no one does recognize him, but a couple of fans spot John and make his time in the diner miserable, even an older couple who beg him to sing their favorite song, "Yesterday". The real John Lennon would have gone insane if anyone was stupid enough to ask him to do so. If he ever did that. talk about cringe worthy.
About that diner scene, I'd never noticed this before, but it was especially creepy when I spotted what looked like bullet holes on the glass partition on John's side of the booth. His head was right near the bullet marks and it gave me a chill.
And now for the moment we've all been waiting for...Paul's watching Saturday Night and John's fast asleep. As soon as Lorne Michaels says John's and Paul's names, along with those of George and Ringo, and offers to pay them $3,000, Paul nudges John awake, and says "let's go". They scurry about the place, getting their gear, but.....THE PHONE RINGS.....It turns out Yoko was returning a call John had placed to her early in the afternoon. As soon as he says "it's Yoko", he immediately goes down into an almost-fetal position, mumbling incoherently. With coat on and guitar in hand, Paul sees this unfolding before his unfortunate eyes, grimaces in resignation and waves and whispers "I gotta go"...and he takes off while John reverts to infancy.
Twenty years after this bit first aired, twenty five years after the events unfolded in real life, I still want to scream "OH GOD, WHY DIDN'T YOU GO! WHY HATH THOU FORSAKEN US???" I know it's crazy and I'm glad I didn't actually say it out loud, but it was a fun thought.
Aidan Quinn was just about tops as Paul - he even resembles him, but once in a while his accent goes down into a deep American accent (I think that's his real voice). Jared Harris - I really don't know who he was mimicking in this, but as he'd previously played Andy Warhol movie ("I Shot Andy Warhol") I was thinking it's Andy doing a bad Liverpool accent. He didn't sound a damn thing like John, and trust me, I've heard tons of interviews with him over the years. I think the only thing Harris got right was.....maybe the hair? Oh, wait, I know who he sounded like - he sounded like Wilfred Brambell, Paul's CLEAN grandfather in "A Hard Day's Night". Yep, that was it.
Watch it, though, if and when you can. Suspend your disbelief and think to yourself, "at least it's not Al Brodax's Beatles cartoon series".
Anyway, on a Saturday afternoon in 1976, Paul (Aidan Quinn) is on tour in New York and decides to stop by John's (Jared Harris) apartment for a visit. John's a bit skeptical over why he turned up, but since he was convinced Paul wasn't interested in getting the Beatles back together, he relaxed and they had a great chat, meditating in the bedroom, out for a bite at a neighborhood diner, and a nice intimate chat on the rooftop of the Dakota. There are some tense moments, even an after-the-fact row from both points of view about how the rest of the band treated Yoko when she gate-crashed their careers. You honest feel for both of them. I for one wouldn't really know what to do on either side. Would I be nicer to my buddy's girlfriend, as much as I was put off by her? Would I be super-defensive and think my buddies were ganging up on me and were out to get me and hated me because of this chick I've been seeing? It's a tough call.
A highlight for me is when John and Paul sneak off to a diner to grab some decidedly non-macrobiotic food, Paul is unrecognizable in his disguise, as no one does recognize him, but a couple of fans spot John and make his time in the diner miserable, even an older couple who beg him to sing their favorite song, "Yesterday". The real John Lennon would have gone insane if anyone was stupid enough to ask him to do so. If he ever did that. talk about cringe worthy.
About that diner scene, I'd never noticed this before, but it was especially creepy when I spotted what looked like bullet holes on the glass partition on John's side of the booth. His head was right near the bullet marks and it gave me a chill.
And now for the moment we've all been waiting for...Paul's watching Saturday Night and John's fast asleep. As soon as Lorne Michaels says John's and Paul's names, along with those of George and Ringo, and offers to pay them $3,000, Paul nudges John awake, and says "let's go". They scurry about the place, getting their gear, but.....THE PHONE RINGS.....It turns out Yoko was returning a call John had placed to her early in the afternoon. As soon as he says "it's Yoko", he immediately goes down into an almost-fetal position, mumbling incoherently. With coat on and guitar in hand, Paul sees this unfolding before his unfortunate eyes, grimaces in resignation and waves and whispers "I gotta go"...and he takes off while John reverts to infancy.
Twenty years after this bit first aired, twenty five years after the events unfolded in real life, I still want to scream "OH GOD, WHY DIDN'T YOU GO! WHY HATH THOU FORSAKEN US???" I know it's crazy and I'm glad I didn't actually say it out loud, but it was a fun thought.
Aidan Quinn was just about tops as Paul - he even resembles him, but once in a while his accent goes down into a deep American accent (I think that's his real voice). Jared Harris - I really don't know who he was mimicking in this, but as he'd previously played Andy Warhol movie ("I Shot Andy Warhol") I was thinking it's Andy doing a bad Liverpool accent. He didn't sound a damn thing like John, and trust me, I've heard tons of interviews with him over the years. I think the only thing Harris got right was.....maybe the hair? Oh, wait, I know who he sounded like - he sounded like Wilfred Brambell, Paul's CLEAN grandfather in "A Hard Day's Night". Yep, that was it.
Watch it, though, if and when you can. Suspend your disbelief and think to yourself, "at least it's not Al Brodax's Beatles cartoon series".
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