I'm not a film critic, but I've recently viewed a film that touched me in so many ways, that I'm compelled to share my enthusiasm for it. Across the Universe took me back in time, but also seemed remarkably current. The soundtrack, which is all Beatles music rearranged and performed as story by fabulous singer/actors, is awesome -- in fact, stunning. What is perhaps most amazing about this film is that the themes and visuals used to tell the clever tale with songs written over thirty years ago, still rings poignantly true today. We continue to seek our own niche in the world, as well as friendship, redemption, and understanding.
The Viet Nam war was perhaps one of the most up-front and personal issues of my high school and college days, and much of what we dreaded then, we're facing again today. Though we no longer have a draft in this country, the agony of lives lost on all sides and the reality of war's consequences -- confusion, destruction, and lack of support services for emotionally and physically wounded soldiers and civilians is just as palpable today as it was then. Still, while death and destruction of various degrees is occurring all over the globe, as long as the sun still rises every day, life will continue. Despite it all, it is possible to find personal stories of triumph where love lives, even in the direst of circumstances.
Music has always been important to me -- I can trace my own life hurdles, triumphs and heartbreaks by the songs that were popular when such events occurred. Watching Across the Universe reminded me not only of just how brilliant the Beatles were, but how important creative expression is in our lives. We still look to songwriters, musicians, artists, and film-makers to describe, explain, express, and make sense of the chaos and uncertainty of our lives. Time, space, cultures and ethnicities may divide us, but in the end, we are pretty much the same. Wouldn't it be nice if all we needed was love? Go see the film. You won't be disappointed. www.acrosstheuniverse.com