Yesterday: Movie Review

Yesterday is the first movie to ask me an interesting question in a long time. What if you woke up and were the only one to remember a piece of art? Something so incredibly impactful that helped shape the world into what it is today? What would you do? Capitalize on it? Just introduce it because the world needs to see it?

One line that embodies the true point of this film is “a world without the Beatles is infinitely Worse.” It is the most touching message within the story. It’s just a shame that it takes a long time to tell you this.

Yesterday has some genuinely moving moments within. The problem is it spends too long trying to find out what it wants to be. While it is entertaining throughout, it doesn't hit its stride until the last moments.

Jack Malik (Himesh Patel) is a singing street performer who is struggling to find success. Just as he loses the last shred of hope he had in himself, he gets into an accident and wakes up to find out that no one knows about the Beatles. Now he has this wealth of knowledge that he’s ready to unveil to the world.

The biggest strength of this movie is its heart. Like I said, there are some emotional impactful scenes in here. While it takes a while to reach these moments, that doesn’t stop them from being honest and powerful.

Actors Himesh Patel as Jack Malik and Lily James as Ellie Appleton skillfully drive the story. The other characters' development is not as rich. But considering the movie only focusses on the two leads, what is lacking in the others is more than made up for by them.

The musical covers of these cultural heavyweights are very pleasant to hear. Pattel manages to put his own twist while still holding true to the source material. It’s clear he’s a fan of the songs and wants to do them justice.

From the brief cameo featuring Robert Carlyle as John Lennon, the movie finds its stride and pulls on your heartstrings.

Fans of the Beatles will like Yesterday. Fans of artistic films will enjoy this movie. I do think anyone can find enjoyment and a strong takeaway from this film, they just have to stick it out to the end.

Yesterday struggles but ultimately succeeds at showing us that a world without a piece of art is all the worse for it.