Name of the most famous person, group, or item. What if that just, disappeared?
In Yesterday, this science-fiction disguised as a rock-n-roll comedy/drama, gave an alternate world where one day, the legendary British group, The Beatles, vanished from the world’s memory. Except in the memory of one struggling singer.
Jack Malik (played by Himesh Patel) is about to give up on his passion: songwriting. With his dedicated friend and band manager, Ellie (played by Lily James), he endured years of playing at embarrassing or dismal venues but not making progress. He makes the decision to quit. Then during a worldwide blackout, he has the soul shaking realization that no one else in the world remembers the Beatles. His friends are astounded by his improved song writing skills when he plays an acoustic version of a Beatles song. So he decides to pass the Beatles music as his own and before he knows it, he’s catapulted right into stardom.
How can he enjoy his fame when it is all based in lies? Lies that no one in the world knows, so the chance of discovery if nil. Yet the faster he he gains his fame, the faster he becomes unsettled with guilt and the realization that he may lose what is important.
This movie was not initially on the radar as I am not a Beatles fan in any way shape or form. Some songs have been enjoyable but it would a while to connect them to the Beatles. It was actually the idea of a world with no Beatles that was the enticing selling point to review it.
It was a surprisingly sweet and fascinating movie that resonated deep within these mid Thirty bones. The mysterious element of how the Beatles disappeared is not the main point. It’s the choice during a time of desperation and self-doubt. Jack is talented as a songwriter but he is one voice of millions. He did what every creator does with a dream: he worked hard, kept on creating even as the voices around him discouraged or even worse, ignored his works. Sometimes, it’s hard to keep going. Sometimes those voices sound less discouraging and more reasonable. Not to mention the drudge of every life tribulations that bills, bills, bills. So that line of morals is razor thin when the chance to finally reach your dream is just right there.
There is a romance slithering in within the story line but it doesn’t bear much to mention. It is so expected, not surprising, and barely adds to the movie. It does offer a sweetness to counter the dark and the comedy. The main point of the romance is that it has always been there, growing steady in the background. Only when it is also left alone and free to go, is when Jack realizes that he does not want to let it go. Of course the movie shows this a romantic moment of when the the love is finally realizes. Instead, I felt that Jack did not deserve that love. It was a love that was only highlighted because of his choice. Without that choice, it would never have been realized and most likely wither away. So does he really love her? Or does he love her just always being there?
The idea of the world losing the memory of a legend is very fascinating. It reminds me of a novel by Genki Kawamura, What if cats disappeared from the world? In that novel, a dying man makes a constant bargain with the devil to live another day if one thing in the world disappears. What both the novel and Yesterday have in common is the message that the world keeps on going. Both are technically material things that are needed for survival. Culturally,it is a loss but nothing is definitive when it comes to art, music, or technology. It is all fluid and a dynamic medium.
There is some considerable star power affecting the movie with the comedy chops of Ed Sheeran and the wackiness of Kate McKinnon.
Yesterday is a great movie to restore yourself and to play a great what-if game. The move also presents the the idea that tomorrow is never promised, so appreciate and love as much as you can today. Enjoy this feel good science fiction movie today!
Some notes on the bonus features on the 4K Ultra HD/ Blu-Ray/ DVD/Digital:
- The movie contacts alternate openings and endings which I highly recommend. It adds more to that science-fiction nature of choices.
- Deleted scenes- just absolute goodies
- Even though I not a Beatles fan, the Live at Abbey Road Studios section was beautiful. It was chilling and fascinating to watch Himesh perform the music from the movie. You get a strong sense of skill and sincerity
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