Nowhere Boy (2009)

A chronicle of John Lennon's first years, focused mainly in his adolescence and his relationship with his stern aunt Mimi, who raised him, and his absentee mother Julia, who re-entered his life at a crucial moment in his young life.

Director:

Sam Taylor-Johnson (as Sam Taylor-Wood)

Writer:

Matt Greenhalgh (screenplay)

Stars:

Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Kristin Scott Thomas, Anne-Marie Duff

Nominated for 3 BAFTA Film Awards. Another 6 wins & 18 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Aaron Taylor-Johnson	...	John (as Aaron Johnson)
Kristin Scott Thomas	...	Mimi
David Threlfall	...	Uncle George
Josh Bolt	...	Pete
Ophelia Lovibond	...	Marie
Kerrie Hayes	...	Marie's Friend
Angela Walsh	...	Schoolmistress
Paul Ritter	...	Popjoy
Richard Syms	...	Reverend
Anne-Marie Duff	...	Julia
James Johnson	...	Stan
Alex Ambrose	...	Young John
Angelica Jopling	...	Julia - aged 8
Abby Greenhalgh	...	Jackie - aged 6
David Morrissey	...	Bobby

Storyline

The story of John Lennon's (Aaron Taylor-Johnson's) childhood and teenage years from 1944 to 1960, his relationship with his Aunt Mimi (Dame Kristin Scott Thomas) and his mother Julia (Anne-Marie Duff) - the two dominant women in the first part of his life; his first meeting with Sir Paul McCartney (Thomas Brodie-Sangster) and George Harrison (Sam Bell), their friendship, their love for music, and the birth of The Beatles.

---

Plot Keywords:

paul mccartney character | john lennon character | george harrison character | jukebox musical | knocking on a door | 

---

Taglines:

The Extraordinary Untold Story Of John Lennon.

---

Genres:

Biography | Drama | Music | Romance

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and a scene of sexuality

Did You Know?

Trivia

Director Sam Taylor-Johnson consulted her friend Sir Paul McCartney about the script. McCartney said that John Lennon didn't really ride on the top of the double-decker bus like he does in the script. He also revealed that the character of Lennon's aunt, Mimi Smith, wasn't as mean and vitriolic like she was written in the script. Furthermore, the song "In Spite of All the Danger" wasn't written as an ode to Lennon's mother as the script suggests. In the end, they agreed that it's a movie rather than documentary, so Taylor-Johnson made inferences that weren't always there.

---

Goofs

After celebrations marking his 17th birthday (in 1957) John Lennon is shown drinking from - and then hurling into the Mersey - a 'Nonic' pint glass of the type not invented until 1960.

---

Quotes

John: Why couldn't God make me Elvis?
Julia: 'Cause he was saving you for John Lennon!

---

Connections

References Love Me Tender (1956)

---

Soundtracks

In Spite of All the Danger
Written by Paul McCartney, George Harrison
Published by MPL Communications Ltd/Inc. (ASCAP)
Performed by The Nowhere Boys

User Reviews

Liverpool forever

This is about John Lennon's teenage time, when he lived with his aunt Mimi. He has problems at school, encounters teddy boys, starts The Quarrymen and meets Paul and George.

The story is a rhapsody, including Lennon's attempts to recontact his half-crazy mother. There's the triangle Mimi/Mum/John which finally brings an eruption. The heat is really on here and then, Lennon and The Beatles go to Hamburg.

Entertaining certainly, but most credits go to Kristin Scott Thomas, which was to be expected. Kudos to the Liverpool accent, one of many thing Lennon taught us to love.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [France]

Country:

UK Canada

Language:

English French

Release Date:

25 December 2009 (UK)

Also Known As:

Nowhere Boy

Filming Locations:

Crosby, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$52,749, 10 October 2010

Gross USA:

$1,457,248

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$6,577,779

Company Credits

Production Co:

Ecosse Films, Film4, UK Film Council

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1