Across The Universe (2007)

Having lived through the Summer of Love (as it was called that year), I watched as the world changed completely. The Beatles were at the forefront of the Revolution with their music and Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. This film is part historical record and part psychedelic dream trip.

The characters’ names are reflections of individuals in their songs. Jude and Lucy are forever imprinted on our hearts. But Molly and Jo-Jo look like echoes of Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix, part of the 27 Club. What is interesting is that this film is 40 years after the events of that year, but seen through the eyes of another (almost) 20 years span of time, everything seems totally up-to-date. No Kings, anyone?

Even The Beatles’ rooftop concert is recreated, although it happened in London on January 30th, 1969. A lot of The Beatles’ music is anachronistic in this film, too. But that doesn’t take away the power of the songs. 1967 was the year of the worldwide telecast via Telstar of The Beatles’ “All You Need Is Love”.

The Medium IS the Message.