ACROSS THE UNIVERSE

After hearing a lot of both negative and positive things about the film (but mostly positive from the people I trust), I finally caught ACROSS THE UNIVERSE last night on netflix. I wasn't particularly impressed, at least from an experiential standpoint, but I feel the need to place an asterisk next to that statement. This is a film that is meant to be seen on a very large screen and, if possible, under the influence of some mind-altering substance. I had neither going for me, and thus was in a more critical mindset despite my desire to be swept away and entertained.

My main criticism is with the narrative, which really only seems there to serve the musical numbers. There is such little development between scenes, so few exchanges of actual dialogue, that the characters just feel like broad brushstrokes rather than living, breathing, empathy-inducing people. It isn't helped by the fact that everyone is named after a Beatle's song (Jude, Lucy, Prudence, etc.), which only reemphasizes the fact that everyone is more representative than interesting. The film has some brilliant production design, effects, and awe-inspiring visuals. It uses the songs in unique and occasionally exhilarating ways (despite their frequent gross detachment from their original meaning... but, hey, if you can't reinterpret a pop song, even if it is by The Beatles, then what's the point?). I loved the use of actual practical set pieces and puppetry - brilliant looking! But there's nothing beneath the surface. It's fluff. The characters are no more than their names. And thus, rather than recasting The Beatles music that it loves so much into something postmodern and new and beautiful, it's just a bit flat and uninspiring. But, perhaps, within the correct setting, this spectacle might seem more spectacular.