“Yesterday is one of those feel good movies you just don’t want to miss…
Kathy Kaiser – Matineechat.com
YESTERDAY – Rated PG-13 – 1 hr. 56 mins.
DIRECTOR: Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire, Steve Jobs)
WRITERS: Story by Jack Barth and Richard Curtis, Screenplay by Richard Curtis
STARRING: Himesh Patel, Lily James, Meera Syal, Sanheev Bhaskar, Kate McKinnon and Ed Sheeran
As we meet struggling musician Jack Malik (Himesh Patel), he has been playing his own music for many years now, but it seems that stardom may not be in the cards…
Following Jack on this journey is life-long friend Ellie (Lily James), who longs for Jack to become a star, maybe even more than he does…
When a Black-out of epic proportions seems to have altered our universe, it seems that no one, except Jack, has heard any of the Beatles incredible music, putting Jack in a very precocious predicament, as everyone thinks that the songs he is playing are HIS – and as a result, this music thrusts him into the fame and fortune he has longed for, for much too long…
I give YESTERDAY a rating of MUST SEE ON THE BIG SCREEN: Truth be told, the premise of this film had me questioning if I was truly going to enjoy viewing it. I mean, how can the world not remember the music of one of the most musically influential bands EVER ~ but, as this premise and storyline unfolds ~ you become not only entranced with the concept, but totally enthralled with what is happening on screen. Boyle manages to bring out exceptional performances not only from his leading man Himesh Patel, but from Lily James as well, as the chemistry between them both is palatable throughout, thus adding another dimension that makes this film feel even more believable, as it unfolds. And once you add in the additional exceptional performances by Meera Syal and Sanheev Bhaskar as Jack’s parents, Kate McKinnon, as Jack’s new Manager, and a supporting role for Ed Sheeran, playing himself…you get one incredible film that will make you smile, and maybe even shed a tear or two, before it’s all through. Surprisingly, even my youngest, who insists she isn’t as fond of the Beatles music as her mother, ended up being blown away by Yesterday’s storyline, and soundtrack too. So, if you love romantic comedies that are filled with fabulous performances, plus an incredible soundtrack filled with the Best of the Beatles from “back in the day”, then you have to make plans to catch Yesterday this weekend for the “perfect date night”, at a theater near you!
*** Congratulations to “Yesterday.” The film has received the #CriticsChoice Seal of Distinction from the Broadcast Film Critics’ Association! @yesterdaymovie #YesterdayMovie
MATINEE CHAT with Kathy Kaiser 