Yesterday
Struggling to get by as a songwriter and street performer Jack Malik (Himesh Patel) hits an all time low when he’s struck by a bus at the exact moment an inexplicable hiccup renders the entire planet in darkness for just a split second. Upon waking from the hospital, minus a few teeth, Jack discovers somehow, some way, he’s the only person on Earth who can remember The Beatles. With the entire Beatles catalog now in his songwriting book, Jack achieves a relative degree of local fame. Innocently backed by his best friend and manager, Ellie (Lily James), Jack is haunted with the prospect of this seemingly victimless crime of plagiarism. Meanwhile, the chalice of fame and fortune is a massive temptation when new manager Debra Hammer (Kate McKinnon) and pop Sensation Ed Sheeran arrive on the scene. Careful what you wish for….
Written by Jack Barth and Richard Curtis and Directed by Danny Boyle this Oz like journey into a parallel universe thankfully avoids the “oh it was all just a dream” trope and instead focuses on a much simpler straightforward feel good story. Specifically, none of the lead characters are particularly tricky and the real driving momentum comes from well rehashed Beatle magic. Dotted with endearing humor and select moments of the Danny Boyle cinematic je ne sais quoi, this is no Trainspotting or Slumdog, regardless, the positives outweigh the negatives, and, for folks looking for the next singalong flick, stop go no further. Yesterday is rated PG-13.