This was quite a cozy film (for lack of a better word), but the way the romantic subplot was resolved really bothered me. Jack springing the revelation that he loves Ellie – who is dating a mutual acquaintance of theirs – in front of the whole world is a massive dick move and made him very Unintentionally Unsympathetic. That said acquaintance goes along with it and is subject to Pair the Spares later feels a bit ridiculous, frankly.
Ceterum censeo Morbillivirum esse eradicandum.My problem with the concept is that it assumes that all good music is timeless and forever popular no matter what. And, sure, The Beatles have been MASSIVELY influential for the music world, but I would stake my word on their music not being popular at all if released today. Because modern tastes in new music are very very different. I'm sure people would like it, but I don't for a second believe it would be groundbreaking or anything.
Or, to put a stronger comparison, consider what the reaction would be if 'In The Hall of the Mountain King' or 'Ride of the Valkyries' would be like if released today? Or songs from Cole Porter?
I also just don't quite like the narrative idea of "Hey, but what if I came up with those famous songs instead without ever having to do much of anything for it?" Maybe that's part of the point, but the marketing makes it feel more... fantasy lifestyle-ish.
The movie subverts some expectations and does so in a way that's pretty interesting: throughout the film, we see a man from Russia and a woman in Liverpool looking at the main character suspiciously, like they know he didn't write the songs he's singing. Finally, they do confront him...and thank him, because, like him, they suddenly found themselves in a world without the Beatles, but they can't sing and have no musical talent, so they were happy when someone else remembered the Beatles and was able to recreate their songs. (The woman from Liverpool does say that the main character gets some more lesser known songs wrong — apparently, he just mangled Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!
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The movie was written by Richard Curtis and it has that mix of romance, sentiment, and a splash of sci-fi that Curtis really enjoys. I'd compare it to his episode of Doctor Who about Vincent van Gogh, since they both celebrate how art can inspire even years after it's made (although the episode had a more Bittersweet Ending than the movie does).

This looks really good.
I love Lily James so I'll always see something with her in it. Also, the soundtrack will probably be quite good.
You know, if a bit derivative of Wings.
Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.