Across the Universe
June 9th, 2008
Just saw Across the Universe last night.
Surprisingly good! Some brilliant arrangements of Beatles songs. The actors did all their own vocals amazingly well, with the help of auto-tune in a way that only musicians will hear.
CD Baby artist Dana Fuchs stole the screen as Sadie, and there was a big scene with Bread and Puppet, who I know from my circus days. Martin Luther from the San Francisco area did an amazing job of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” and if that was him doing a Jeff Beck style instrumental guitar melody to “Day in the Life” then I’m even more impressed.
Best thing was the creative re-contexting of songs, like “I Want You (She’s So Heavy)” as Uncle Sam and Statue of Liberty as the I and She. A great reminder that context can change everything, another subject I should rant about some time.
Just don’t expect it to be a movie, really. It’s really more of a 2-hour music video with just a few bits of non-singing. Very worth seeing for anyone who appreciates great vocals, and new arrangements and contexts for the well-known songs.
You are right when you say “Don’t expect a movie”.
As a movie it really meanders midway through (although it finally finds it’s way back by the end). Also, I felt that as a movie it suffered from unnecessary characters that do nothing to advance the story. The Prudence character was good example of this. Her character’s main purpose in the film seemed to be the inclusion of the song “Dear Prudence”.
Having said all this, I enjoyed this film for a lot of the same reasons that you have already brought up and would recommend it for the same reasons. In fact it was the rendition of “I Want To Hold Your Hand” (Done by the actress who played Prudence) that was on of my favorites.
Agreed, very good arrangements and clever contextualization.
Autotune can be a musican’s curse (as a listener) I think. Once I hear it used in a song, it somehow affects my enjoyment, ever-so-slightly. I’m to the point where I find my perception of it more annoying that the effect itself.
Anyone else have that side-effect?
I really disliked this movie. I thought it was a complete waste of time. I can’t stand when people take a collection of songs and try to make a story out of them. See also: “We Will Rock You”, “Mama Mia”, “Movin’ Out,” etc.
I’m going to spend the rest of my life trying to erase the “Across The Universe” arrangements of those songs from my memory.
It actually was Jeff Beck.
It was a movie for girls.
-Dr. Zoltan!
I look forward to your rant on how context can change everything. It sounds like fertile ground for an inspired conversation!
That’s not Bread & Puppet in Across the Universe.
Julie Taymor had attempted to hire B&P for the film, or at least rent the puppets, but Peter Schumann declined. Accounts are that Schumann had said something to the effect of “go make your own.”
There’s a version of the behind-the-scenes story archived here. It’s by Stephen Kaplin, a former company member and it’s certainly written with certain loyalties in mind.
I agree that the arrangements were good. But the re-contextualization of the songs was rendered useless by the movie’s unfortunate lack of plot. If a song can be used in such a way that it actually propels the plot, or gives a meaningful insight into a character’s psyche, which is what is generally expected of the modern musical, then it should be used that way by all means. This film missed the mark in that regard. You’re right; it was basically nothing more than a long music video.
I loved this movie too! I actually didn’t know much about the Beatles before (yeah I know it’s weird). Made me totally appreciate the music and the whole aura around it!
I love your blog Derek! Awesome! And I’m so glad to be a CD Baby artist, the best service ever…
Here is a great presentation by the creator of Across The Universe: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2FN4iFhgu8
-Dr. Zoltan!
I’m tempted but afraid to watch this movie. I love the beatles and am not a fan of song remakes, even though I practice remaking songs myself. It’s kinda like when No Doubt ruined Talk Talk’s “It’s My Life” for me. I hated them for it from the bottom of my heart, but at the same time wished I had done better.