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Almost 60 years ago, four guys from Liverpool became a worldwide phenomenon, and now the music and lyrics of the Fab Four are everywhere—a pop culture connection that joins people around the world. But in Danny Boyle’s Yesterday, the work of The Beatles suddenly ceases to exist—and it’s up to one man to keep their music alive.
Yesterday stars Himesh Patel as Jack Malik, a struggling musician who would have given up long ago if it weren’t for his friend and manager, Ellie (Lily James). After another horrible gig, he’s biking home when the world’s power blinks out for 12 seconds—and, during that time, Jack is hit by a bus. When he wakes, he finds himself in a world where certain things never existed—things like Coke and The Beatles. When he begins performing Beatles songs, people eventually take notice, and he suddenly has the potential to be the Next Big Thing.
From the start, Yesterday requires a pretty substantial suspension of disbelief from its viewers. Admittedly, the setup is questionable at best—a global power outage that wipes out parts of history—and it will make your head hurt if you think about it too much. But this whole ridiculous scenario sets the stage for a film that’s filled with music and romance and laid-back humor.
The characters are undeniably lovable. Patel’s Jack is determined but down on his luck, and he’s been fighting for years to get his big break. He has a small following of friends who show up for every gig, but the only person who truly believes in him is sweet and endlessly cheery Ellie. Sure, it’s no big surprise where their story is headed, but it’s an enjoyable journey.
Of course, the real star of the show here is the music. There are Beatles references and inside jokes, but there are also just a whole lot of toe-tapping, heart-warming, uplifting musical numbers. Beatles fans will love hearing all of their favorite songs, but even if you’re not a devoted fan of John, Paul, George, and Ringo, you’ll still find yourself singing (and smiling) along with the classic songs woven into this easy-going comedy.
Yesterday may not have the most solid story—and not everything here works—but if you can get beyond the ridiculousness of a global power outage wiping out bits and pieces of pop culture, you’ll be treated to an endearing feel-good film about music and stardom and figuring out where you’re meant to be. It’s sure to put a smile on your face—even after you’ve had a hard day’s night.
Listen to the review on Reel Discovery:
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