The Heel Press - Across the Universe

Forums : The Heel Press : Across the Universe

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Gunther Row
	Bronze
567 points

October 05, 2007 - 12:20 AM

Did anyone else think that the producers of this movie thought only of capitalizing on the songs of the Beatles with a film? This movie was somewhat good, but it wasn't great. I know it must have not been easy connecting all the songs into one storyline, but the fact of the matter is that the story was not solid at all. It kind of just jumps around, mainly to get more songs in the movie. I was honestly hoping for something along the lines of Forest Gump, with much historical context. This movie had that, but it seemed to have the obvious and the story line was pretty confusing. A lot of the things just didn't make sense. I do have to say though, that i underestimated the movie at first with its interpretations of certain songs. I thought they would take everything as literally and superficially as possible. In actuality, the movie offered some new ways to look at some of these songs.

i was kind of hoping for other songs, like "yesterday", "eleanor rigby", and others too. If you're an avid Beatles fan, i recommend this to you. Otherwise, you should probably just wait for DVD.

Gunther Row
	Bronze
567 points

October 05, 2007 - 12:22 AM

ummm... oops, i accidentally put this in the wrong forum. sorry. i'm kind of new... anyways, i would appreciate a little help from the admins. ^__^,

Sean O.K.
	Silver
2,551 points

October 11, 2007 - 11:23 PM

Simply enjoy this film as an aesthetic pleasure with some pretty damn good covers (Beatles and others). It is obviously not a plot-driven film (where the plot is not flawed, it's merely cliche). I was also hoping for some other songs, and perhaps that's why it's tough to lose yourself in the plot (you just keep waiting for your favorite song), but I have to say that the "Strawberry Fields Forever" interpretation was inspired.

Crystal Lancaster
	Silver
4,541 points

October 12, 2007 - 01:12 PM

Across the Universe really did have some great covers of the Beatles song, and the visual aspects of the film were pretty tasty. The army scene, for example, I felt, was pretty damn brilliant. But as for the rest...I don't know. It had so much potential and didn't really follow through on some of the issues that were introduced in the beginning. I honestly was hoping for more on the storyline of the civil rights movement. My friend actually thought that the little boy who died would grow up to become a Black Panther--which I think would've been an amazing spin on that storyline. I'm not asking for a full hour of race riots and million man marches, but if you're going to bring the issue up in the beginning (which really is just a tease) and then just barely touch upon it again by mentioning the death of Martin Luther King, Jr. later (and not even mention the repercussions of his death), then really you shouldn't bring it up at all.

I mean, isn't that a key responsibility of any coherent movie? Or any novel in fact. If you're going to introduce a character (or issue) in the beginning, you can't just forget about it in the remainder of the film. The moviegoer or reader will just think, "What the hell? What happened to____??"

Anyway, I'm getting off topic. I also felt some scenes were unnecessary. Like that lovers' spat between Sadie and Jojo (I think his name was?). I thought was completely unnecessary, a little uninteresting...no offense, but I didn't really care about whatever dispute they had going on.

I agree with Gunther when he says that the story line wasn't solid. It's like they had all these great ideas but didn't know how to follow through. And the last shot? It really bugged me because I felt the story hadn't been all about Lucy--I mean yes, I suppose the writer tried to push the love story to be at the center of the film, but Lucy and Jude's love kinda grew superficially to begin with. Her boyfriend had just died, and suddenly, she looks to the guy on her left and decides that she's in love with him? How convenient.

Anyway, I think the ending was weak. Yes, it is all about love but what is that love going to do for the rest of the world? It is such a poignant point to make that love can change things. I feel that is the message the makers of this film attempted to dole out. But this point was not made.

I don't know. I think this movie could have been so much better. I kinda feel like it all went downhill after that army scene. But as for the visual aspect of the film, it was engaging--there's no denying that. (And yes! I'm surprised they didn't include "Yesterday" too.) But as for the groundwork of the film. Ehh.

Debra
	Silver
1,253 points

October 17, 2007 - 11:40 PM

Yeah, I thought the movie had some cool scenes but only a so-so plot. i really liked the cover of "Dear Prudence" though.

Crystal Lancaster
	Silver
4,541 points

October 19, 2007 - 11:42 PM

i agree. that was a good cover.

just to add, i think the movie should've ended with a shot showing something like this. it would've made a far more powerful impact than Evan Rachel Woods' face.

Peacesigns