Across the Universe (2007)

The music of the Beatles and the Vietnam War form the backdrop for the romance between an upper-class American girl and a poor Liverpudlian artist.

Director:

Julie Taymor

Writers:

Dick Clement (screenplay), Ian La Frenais (screenplay),

Stars:

Evan Rachel Wood, Jim Sturgess, Joe Anderson

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 1 win & 10 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Evan Rachel Wood	...	Lucy Carrigan
Jim Sturgess	...	Jude
Joe Anderson	...	Max Carrigan
Dana Fuchs	...	Sadie
Martin Luther	...	Jo-Jo (as Martin Luther McCoy)
T.V. Carpio	...	Prudence
Spencer Liff	...	Daniel
Lisa Hogg	...	Jude's Liverpool Girlfriend
Nicholas Lumley	...	Cyril
Michael Ryan	...	Phil
Angela Mounsey	...	Martha Feeny - Jude's Mother
Erin Elliott	...	Cheer Coach
Robert Clohessy	...	Wesley 'Wes' Huber - Jude's Father
Christopher Tierney	...	Dorm Buddy / Dancer
Curtis Holbrook	...	Dorm Buddy

Storyline

Across The Universe is a fictional love story set in the 1960s amid the turbulent years of anti-war protest, the struggle for free speech and civil rights, mind exploration and rock and roll. At once gritty, whimsical and highly theatrical, the story moves from high schools and universities in Massachusetts, Princeton and Ohio to the Lower East Side of Manhattan, the Detroit riots, Vietnam and the dockyards of Liverpool. A combination of live action and animation, the film is paired with many songs by The Beatles that defined the time.

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Plot Keywords:

the beatles | protest | anti war | song | love | 

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Taglines:

All you need is love.

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Genres:

Drama | Musical | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some drug content, nudity, sexuality, violence and language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [jp] Sony Pictures [de]

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 October 2007 (USA)

Also Known As:

All You Need Is Love

Filming Locations:

ABC No Rio, 156 Rivington Street, New York, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$73,105,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$667,784 (USA) (14 September 2007)

Gross:

$24,343,673 (USA) (7 December 2007)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Revolution Studios, Gross Entertainment, Team Todd

Technical Specs

Runtime:

133 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The non-existent joint in the "With a Little Help From My Friends" sequence is non-existent to ensure that the movie is not R-rated.

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Goofs

When Jo-Jo is playing guitar solo in "Come Together", it sounds like his Telecaster has a whammy bar, which it has not. He even mimes using it with his right hand. But with his left hand he doesn't even bend the strings.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Jude: [singing] Is there anybody going to listen to my story all about the girl who came to stay? She's the kind of girl you want so much, it makes you sorry. Still, you don't regret a single day. Aw, girl. Girl...

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Connections

References The Searchers (1956)

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Soundtracks

"If I Fell"
Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney
Performed by Evan Rachel Wood (uncredited)

User Reviews

Go see it with an open mind

I have been anticipating this movie ever since I saw the trailer on IMDb like everyone else. When I first saw the trailer, I said to myself, I'm either going to consider this my favorite movies of all-time, or it's going to be trash. Being a huge Beatles fan and owning all their albums on CD, I had huge expectations about the covers of the songs. I saw it with my friend, who is also a huge Beatles fan but not a huge musical fan. Both of us saw it on opening night to the public and to our surprise it was really good! The covers of the songs were actually really good! Now don't get me wrong, the original Beatles songs will always be the best versions but for what they did, they did a pretty decent job. One of my favorite scenes was the "I've Just Seen a Face" bowling alley scene. So creative and fun! Also the "I Want You (She So Heavy) scene was…interesting…but fun to watch. Eddie Izzard's scene as Mr. Kite was hilarious! Both me and my friend where on the floor laughing. Also Bono's scene singing "I Am the Walrus" was great. Don't listen to the critics that say that "it doesn't do the Beatles justice". Actually, it's the opposite. Any hardcore Beatles fan will appreciate all the jokes that were thrown in there. Even if you're not a hardcore Beatles fan, you will appreciate the fantastic love story.

Just one word of advice, go to this with an open mind. Don't expect Oscar-worthy script and dialogue, expect clichés, not a whole lot of character development from the supporting cast but don't let that ruin the movie for you. Appreciate the artistic mind of the director. I mean who cares if they threw in a character like Prudence just to sing Dear Prudence? It's a great song! For all you "I hate every movie that comes out" critics don't see this. It's too artsy for you. Go see this with an open mind not expecting it to win Best Picture for the Oscar. This is one of the best experiences you will have watching a movie. I'm buying the DVD as soon as it comes out. See this movie Beatles fans!!! It does them justice!!! Please email me with any comments you have.