the film snob

A cyberspace journal about my experiences as an NYU film school grad student, reviews of current and classic films, film and TV news, and the rants and raves of an admitted (and unapologetic) film snob.

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Esse Quam Videri -- To be, rather than to appear

Friday, September 14, 2007

Across the Universe













You cannot help but admire — even be in awe of — brilliant director Julie Taymor’s extraordinary vision. Her films (Titus, Frida) are those rare works of art that succeed in merging cinematic splendor with Broadway aesthetics (she got her start on the stage and directed the wildly successful “The Lion King” on Broadway) to create something wholly original and entirely imaginative. And although her latest film, Across the Universe doesn’t completely work, when it does, you’re in for one wild and wonderful ride.

It is almost pointless to discuss the plot of Across the Universe since it is utterly subservient to and driven by the music. Across the Universe is one, long Beatles music video with short snatches of dialogue crammed in between. The story is not as important as the 33 — count them — 33 Beatles songs the film includes. You know all these songs. You’re not only singing them going out of the theater, you’re already singing them coming in.

Irregardless of the plot’s secondary nature, it is nonetheless epic in scope. Encompassing the turbulent 60s in all of their incongruity, Across the Universe tackles academia, race riots, the civil rights movement, the Vietnam War, drug use, protest marches, rock and roll, PTSD, and rebellious youth. It is the story of a time and place, less than individual persons, even if the problems they face look remarkably like our own. Characters like Jude, Lucy and Prudence exist, not for the sake of the plot, but because the songs give them life. That the give and take between the dialogue-driven scenes and the musical numbers is such an organic process speaks to Taymor’s powerful aesthetic.

Unfortunately, Across the Universe doesn’t quite work. The film is overlong and feels more protracted than it is simply because the dialogue — not the filmmakers’ number one concern — cannot support our interest. During the expository scenes, we find ourselves yearning for the next musical number to begin. And criticism or no, Taymor and company are probably just fine with that assessment. We have little to no access into the characters when they speak, but when they sing we are admitted into their very souls.

Some of the songs exist in reality, with characters simply singing through a scene. Others are operatic and highly theatrical, incorporating dance choreography that is a feast for the eyes as well as ears. Still others, especially as the film taps Beatles songs from their psychedelic phase, come across as surreal experimental films, exaggerated, heightened states more akin to dream sequences. More than once I was reminded of the extraordinary Moulin Rouge.

The film boasts several guest stars (Joe Cocker, Salma Hayek, Eddie Izzard), though none are more enjoyable or anticipated than U2 frontman, Bono, who plays Dr. Robert, a composite of Timothy Leery and Jack Kerouac. Not only can Bono act, but he can also do a spot-on American accent.

Despite its faults, much of Across the Universe is infectious, whimsical fun. At its worst it is slow and clunky; at its best it is transcendent.

3 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'll take your work for it because I have loved Julia Taymor's visions in the past - "Titus" has been one of my favorite films in the last decade and it is still a wonderful, guilty pleasure of a viewing whenever I have a desire to watch something pretentious and "arty".

The initial buzz that I have read on "Across the Universe" is that it may be "Razzie" material. But what I do suspect is either audiences will love or hate this film, as it certainly doesn't cater to today's mainstream, Bruckheimer audiences.

Now as far as Bono's acting is concerned - having watched him close up from front row positions on 5-6 ocassions during U2 shows (yeah, I'm a big fan, so shoot me) and his performances can at times overreaching to the point of self-parody - I can see where he could flourish in the World of Taymor.

Look forward to discussing this film with you at greater depth in the future - and of course I'll wait till it comes out on high-def!

9:50 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Irregardless? Try regardless.

3:14 PM  
Blogger Brandon said...

Damn.

irregardless |ˌiriˈgärdlis| adjective & adverb informal regardless. ORIGIN early 20th cent.: probably a blend of irrespective and regardless .USAGE Irregardless, with its illogical negative prefix, is widely heard, perhaps arising under the influence of such perfectly correct forms as: irrespective. Irregardless is avoided by careful users of English. Use regardless to mean 'without regard or consideration for' or 'nevertheless': | I go walking every day regardless of season or weather.

3:44 PM  

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