Across the Universe (2007)

Across the Universe Poster

When young dockworker Jude leaves Liverpool to find his estranged father in the United States, he is swept up by the waves of change that are re-shaping the nation. Jude falls in love with Lucy, who joins the growing anti-war movement. As the body count in Vietnam rises, political tensions at home spiral out of control and the star-crossed lovers find themselves in a psychedelic world gone mad.

Movie Summary
The 2007 movie, "Across deep space", directed by Julie Taymor, is an advanced rock musical that takes viewers on a psychedelic journey through the 1960s. This musical drama is an unconventional and imaginative interpretation of 34 tunes by The Beatles forming the backdrop for the romance between the main characters, Jude and Lucy, played by Jim Sturgess and Evan Rachel Wood, respectively.

The Plot
In the motion picture, Jude, a young dockworker from Liverpool, England, travels to America searching for his separated dad. At Princeton University, where his daddy works as a janitor, he befriends Max Carrigan (Joe Anderson), a defiant trainee. There, he also meets Max's younger sister, Lucy, with whom he becomes infatuated. Following Max's expulsion from university, Jude and Max transfer to New York City, where they immerse themselves in the lively and dynamic counterculture of the 1960s.

Living in a bohemian enclave, they form a makeshift household with fellow musicians and artists, Sadie (Dana Fuchs), Jojo (Martin Luther McCoy), and the self-expressive Prudence (T.V. Carpio). Throughout their journey, they experience love, loss, exploration, and protests against the growing Vietnam War. When Max is prepared to eliminate in the Vietnam War, Lucy ends up being progressively associated with anti-war activism. Her participation creates a rift between her and Jude, complicating their relationship.

Cinematic Experience
Director Julie Taymor provides audiences an immersive cinematic display of sophisticated dance sequences, surreal animated sectors, and visually sensational set pieces that bring the spirit of the 1960s to life. These aspects play effortlessly with the Beatles' tunes that stress the plot and highlight the characters' improvement with time. Tunes like "I Want to Hold Your Hand", "Strawberry Fields Forever", and "Let It Be", to name a few, form a sonic layer that contributes to the movie's emotional depth.

Critical Reception
"Across the Universe" has garnered blended reviews with its bold take on the Beatles' renowned discography. Lots of critics applauded its visual ingenuity, while others slammed it for oversaturating the narrative and watering down the storytelling.

Conclusion
"Across deep space" represents the ups and downs, freedom, and social change of the 1960s through an innovative blend of music, visual phenomenon, and narrative drama. It's a film alive with the spirit of creativity and ingenuity, matching the turbulent era of history it represents, by reimagining ageless music from The Beatles to portray a romance set against the background of a changing world. The story culminates in a stirring rendition of the tune "Across deep space", encapsulating the movie's core styles of love, turmoil, and the irrefutable power of music.

Top Cast

  • Evan Rachel Wood (small)
    Evan Rachel Wood
    Lucy Carrigan
  • Jim Sturgess (small)
    Jim Sturgess
    Jude
  • Joe Anderson (small)
    Joe Anderson
    Max Carrigan
  • Dana Fuchs (small)
    Dana Fuchs
    Sadie
  • Martin Luther McCoy (small)
    Martin Luther McCoy
    Jo-Jo
  • T.V. Carpio (small)
    T.V. Carpio
    Prudence
  • Spencer Liff (small)
    Spencer Liff
    Daniel
  • Lisa Dwyer Hogg (small)
    Lisa Dwyer Hogg
    Molly
  • Nicholas Lumley (small)
    Nicholas Lumley
    Cyril
  • Michael Ryan
    Phil
  • Angela Mounsey
    Martha Feeny (Jude's Mother)