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 childhood and teenage years from 1944 to 1960, his relationship with his aunt Mimi and his mother Julia -the two dominant women in the first part of his life-, his first meeting with Paul McCartney and George Harrison, their friendship, their love for music and the birth of The Beatles.

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Plot Keywords:

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

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Taglines:

The Extraordinary Untold Story Of John Lennon.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Music | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and a scene of sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [France]

Country:

UK Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 October 2010 (USA)

Also Known As:

Mi nombre es John Lennon

Filming Locations:

Blackpool, Lancashire, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

£148,157 (United Kingdom), 27 December 2009, Limited Release

Opening Weekend USA:

$52,749, 10 October 2010, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$1,445,366, 5 December 2010

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

Thomas Brodie-Sangster had to learn to play guitar left-handed for his role of Paul McCartney.

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Goofs

When Paul first saw John, John was singing "Come and go with me" not "Maggie Mae"

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Quotes

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

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Connections

References The Happy Prince (1974)

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Soundtracks

Movin' N' Groovin'
Written by Duane Eddy, Lee Hazlewood
Published (c) 1959 (Renewed)
UniChappell Music Inc. (BMI)
Licensed courtesy of Warner Chappell Music Publishing Limited
Performed by The Nowhere Boys

User Reviews

John Lennon as a young poetic rebel

I guess this would be considered an "a moment-in-the-life-of-biopic" as it focuses on only a couple of years of pre-Beatles John Lennon's life in Liverpool, England (and not his entire life). It is an interesting story and one I did not know. It asks and answers the question: Where did Lennon get his start and love for music?

The film's subject matter -- the early life of John Lennon -- made Nowhere Boy an interesting story and sell for me; and since the acting in the movie happened to be stellar -- it was a bonus. Aaron Johnson (Kick-Ass) does a decent job as the 15-year-old Lennon and proves to be one to watch as he's going to have a long career although the real acting "glory" of the film belongs to the two lead females who are left to battle it out as Lennon's motherly figure(s). Kristin Scott Thomas (Four Weddings and a Funeral, The English Patient) plays his aunt who has raised John from early infant-hood as her sister was considered to be an unlikely parent/guardian. In the film, John stumbles upon his birth mother out of curiosity and becomes intrigued with her demeanor. Actress Anne-Marie Duff (Notes on a Scandal, The Last Station) is rather revelatory here (BOTH her and Scott Thomas deservingly earned 2010 BAFTA nominations for these very roles).

The story is sentimental and tragic and it is tied together quite nicely by the three lead players who all play off of each other very well and convincingly (Duff is flighty, Scott Thomas is concerned and Johnson is a free soul). The young Lennon becomes a mixture of the two women (a poetic rebel) and their influences are highly evident in the film and his later music.

Any Beatles fan should check this one out. It isn't full of Hey Jude's and Elinor Rigby's but this is Pre-Beatles (we do meet a young Paul) so we get a taste of the kid before he become our "Nowhere Boy".