Across the Universe
By Amanda S. Coleman
On February 5th, the visual feast that is Across the Universe was released on DVD. Directed by Julie Taymor, who is famous for directing Broadway's version of The Lion King, this highly-anticipated movie can now be enjoyed by many in the comfort of their own home.
Across the Universe revolves around the story of a couple during the turbulent time of the Vietnam War. Jude, a young man who works at the docks in Liverpool, travels to America to find his long-lost father. There he meets college drop-out Max and his sister Lucy, the girl he falls in love with. After moving to New York City, Max is drafted into the war, and the plot turns toward anti-war activism. Although the plot is a bit simple and cliché, the other magical aspects of the movie even it out.
The visuals are breathtaking and well-meaning. The movie features a scene of recent army inductees carrying the Statue of Liberty throughout the jungle of Vietnam, singing the line "She's so heavy" in "I Want You (She's So Heavy);" the artsy Jude creates Jackson Pollack-style paintings with bright red strawberries in "Strawberry Fields Forever;" and one of the major highlights in the film is the psychedelic "I Am the Walrus" scene.
This homage to the Beatles never forgets its roots. Besides the numerous Beatles songs featured in the movie, other songs and references are incorporated in less obvious ways. For example, a girl enters an apartment through a bathroom window. When someone asks where she came from another person responds, "She came in through the bathroom window." This reference to the Beatles song "She Came in Through the Bathroom Window" is not so evident that everyone catches it, but a true Beatles fan would. Another example, not referencing the Beatles but rather another huge musical influence, is Sadie's similarity to Janis Joplin, with her throaty voice, curly crazy hair, and zealous temperament.
Even the characters names are dripping with Beatles allusions. The main characters' names include Jude, from "Hey Jude," Lucy from "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds," Sadie from "Sexy Sadie," Max from "Maxwell's Silver Hammer" (there are also a few references to hammers in some of Max's scenes), and Rita from "Lovely Rita," among others.
Speaking of characters, the cast is of mostly young, not very well-known actors. Evan Rachel Wood plays Lucy, and Jim Sturgess plays Jude. Bono makes a surprise appearance as Dr. Robert, Eddie Izzard sings "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite," and Salma Hayek makes a cameo as not one but numerous nurses in "Happiness is a Warm Gun."
Any Beatles fan, as well as many other moviegoers, should make it a point to see this movie because of the amazing visuals and beautiful music.
