Yesterday and a World Without the Beatles

Many have often wondered what a world without the Beatles would look like. Yesterday is a 2019 film which attempts to somewhat tackle that subject in a very creative way. While the film, directed by Danny Boyle (28 Days Later, 127 Hours, Slumdog Millionaire) and written by Richard Curtis (Love Actually, Four Weddings and a Funeral) and Jack Barth (Attack the Block, The Simpsons), focuses more on the success factor rather than the social implications, it is still a fantastic journey worth a watch, especially if you are a Beatles fan.

Starring Himesh Patel (Tenet, Don’t Look Up, Station Eleven), Lily James (Pride Prejudice and Zombies, Baby Driver, Cinderella) and Sophia Di Martino (Loki, Flowers, Into the Badlands), Yesterday is well written with a solid pace and subtle yet powerful emotional movements. Without spoiling anything, the film instantly hooks the viewers hungry for creativity.

Himesh Patel plays struggling musician Jack Malik as he grinds through the typical blue-collar day to day of working as an inventory stock associate during the day and playing the local bars during his off time. The film has a great development arc revolving around Malik’s relationship with his own musical talent and his manager Ellie, played by Lily James.

Cinematographer Christopher Ross (Cats, Hard Sun, The Great Escaper) has some moments of particular character, integrating creative framing angles along with standard techniques which adds a subtle yet alluring look to the film.

With subtle yet highly captivating performances, great music and somewhat magical dramatic arc, Yesterday is a film which brings up some interesting ideas in what a world which forgot the Beatles might be like for one artist who might be the only person who remembers any of their songs. Currently, Yesterday is available on Amazon Prime.