Across the Universe (Julie Taymor, 2007) is a film that uses the lyrics of the BEATLES songs to tell a story of the effects of the Vietnam war and the efforts of the protesters during this time. I wanted to include this film in my reviews as it is an example of where film has come with the use of special effects to make a film visually appealing far from reality, it is more an artwork then a film.
The film uses the reality of the horrors of the time and presents them in an extreme way with a clever use of special effects and graphics. It takes the mickey out of war and suggests the bureaucracy are the disturbers of the peace.
The new take on the Beatles songs is amazing with a more contemporary rock edge. I love how the lyrics have been carefully thought out to fit into the plot. The song 'Hey Jude' is used when Jude and Max reunite with Max singing 'Judy Judy Judy Judy', it fits in so well. Not to mention the amazing vocals of the actors particularly Dana Fuchs as Sadie.
Special effects are used to portray the unstable mind of a drug effected individual, with crazy, blurred and coluorful graphics.
A favorite metaphor of mine used in the film is the use of strawberries to represent the bombs in the war field.
Also in the opening scene where war images and newspaper reports are splashed across the rolling waves. The metaphor of larger then life people carrying the statue of liberty, walking over palm trees suggesting the size and destruction of the people in the war.
The underlying message though is as the Beatles sang "All you need is Love" and peace. Love is shown in a very metaphorical way through beautiful imagery.
MAIN CAST:
Evan Rachel Wood - Lucy
Jim Sturgess - Jude
Joe Anderson - Max Carrigan
Dana Fuchs - Sadie
Martin Luther - Jo-Jo (as Martin Luther McCoy)
T.V. Carpio - Prudence
