Read Mixed User Reviews for Yesterday

6

KeithDowJul 3, 2019

The premise to Danny Boyle’s ‘Yesterday’—that a struggling musician realizes he's the only person on Earth who can remember The Beatles after a strange worldwide blackout—is incredibly alluring. Too bad the film itself effectively wastes theThe premise to Danny Boyle’s ‘Yesterday’—that a struggling musician realizes he's the only person on Earth who can remember The Beatles after a strange worldwide blackout—is incredibly alluring. Too bad the film itself effectively wastes the opportunity to explore such a novel idea in any sort of resonant or meaningful way.

The biggest problem with Boyle’s approach is how formulaic the entire movie is. There’s the dedicated small town talent manager, the jerk part-time boss, the one supportive fan, and the dopey sidekick. The performer’s musical career, played by a wonderful Himesh Patel, isn’t going anywhere until the Beatles thing happens. Then fame, success, and a stereotypical super-agent steps in. Before we know it the singer-songwriter has everything he ever wanted but is miserable. There’s no need to dwell on the finer details or the love story because you can probably guess them all already. Sure, there are a number of things that are disappointing with the film, but most of all it’s that Danny Boyle couldn’t make ‘Yesterday’ something on a similar level as ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ despite ample opportunity to do so.… Expand

5 of 5 users found this helpful50

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5

amheretojudgeJul 2, 2019

The romance is a distraction along with every other theme, The Beatles and the affection for them keeps it alive.

Yesterday Boyle has a treat for us. A desert, to be precise. And even though there are no Michelin stars embedded or awardedThe romance is a distraction along with every other theme, The Beatles and the affection for them keeps it alive.

Yesterday

Boyle has a treat for us. A desert, to be precise. And even though there are no Michelin stars embedded or awarded to it, the mood is set charmingly by the eternal music of The Beatles and the director, Danny Boyle's not behind-the-stage but inside-the-mind peak of an artist. It is a fun, crowd gathering script. From the germ of it, itself. It places antics in order for the music lovers to drool over. In fact, it basically pits two great musicians in a frame and dares to have a music off. On the left you have Ed Shereen, a 21st century heartthrob. And on the right is The Beatles, carrying the weight of its historical contribution to the rock culture that we live and breathe in.

Of course, the film sways towards The Beatles. In fact, now that I think about it, it every time choose that band. Their music. Their legacy. Either a character does so, literally! Or the gist of the film stops its marker on. It is sort of their biography. Just told with a twist of superhero-isc ingredient which would help grab the viewer's attention. My only complaint is that I always thought that the parallel world or alternate reality or newer dimension would at least be engaging.

That would be the last thing it would lack. That it would be mory busy. More crowded with not actual crowds but thought provoking innuendos and scenarios that recharges your battery every time the obligatory section of the film puts you to sleep. And don't get me wrong I love a steady film. Calm and confident. In peace. Wearing that posturity as a part of the jewellery. But, the film, the characters, the script has a lot of rush in it. And it isn't free to go anywhere.

And for two straight hours, as a result, you are left with an unsettling feeling that the protagonist is going through with you. Coming back to the superhero theme, I love the responsibility part of this event, that is pinned down by the makers. It is not a Spider-Man movie. You are on the wrong screen. Yet, it whispers, "With great power comes great responsibility." This was never art. What Jack Malick, the protagonist, played by Himesh Patel, is embarking his journey upon. He is not the one. He was not chosen. If anything, it is a burden. Something to carry proudly, just Boyle leaves the screen with.

Yesterday is a film about today. Boyle sums it up when for the first time, Patel introduces the infamous and my personal favourite song from The Beatles collection, "Let It Be" It is a mesmerising scene, when he plays a song to his parents as an audience, as an experiment. Something that Boyle's mind would have been tickling to express, loudly. To not be a part of history, but experiencing something untouched, unfiltered for the first time. And in the end the film is saved because he meant to rub hard on that very note and he did, through various exciting techniques.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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4

GreatMartinJul 2, 2019

The best part of "Yesterday" are the Beatles's song catalogue, though it isn't a 'jukebox musical', and the leading man, Himesh Patel, does a good job of singing them. The main problem with the movie is the screenplay by Richard Curtis. ItThe best part of "Yesterday" are the Beatles's song catalogue, though it isn't a 'jukebox musical', and the leading man, Himesh Patel, does a good job of singing them. The main problem with the movie is the screenplay by Richard Curtis. It starts off with the interesting premise of Jack Malik (Patel), who gets knocked out by a combination of a bus hitting him and a worldwide blackout, waking up missing a few teeth but, obviously, nothing life threatening. It seems he is the only person in the world who has heard of the Beatles and their music or Coca Cola but the screenwriter sort of drops the why of this or what the consequences would be except a man can become rich by claiming to have written all of the Beatles's songs, playing a guitar and singing them without anyone questioning him from his friends to his family to the music company that signs him.

One of the first lessons a movie fan learns is that you have to check logic at the movie entrance but there are too many illogical things in this film to ignore them plus a lot takes away your enjoyment of the film. There is very little chemistry between Himesh Patel and his leading lady Lily James though the love story is a given and in spite of trouble with accents and sound that story line is easy enough to follow. In a switch it is the male who goes through a makeover.

Both Patel and James are fine in their roles while Kate McKinnon is handed the role (for the old-timers reading this think Eve Arden) of the smart cracking music agent played with each utterance being too shrill. I am not familiar with Joel Fry and his role is a little--heck, a lot--inexplainable, but he is a funny guy. Neither am I familiar with Ed Sheeran and looked him up on Wikipedia being surprised to learn how successful the man is in England. There is a 'mystery' regarding a couple, unknown to each other, and a yellow submarine. There is also a surprise cameo near the end that explains nothing and falls flat.

Danny Boyle, successful director and producer of many films including "Slumdog Millionaire" and this film, has to take some of the fault for the screenplay and, consequently, this movie.

"Yesterday" is a disappointing film that doesn't tackle the major premise but does show off the talent of Himesh Patel.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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5

DudeFromIcelandJul 22, 2019

I was not expecting this film to focus so much on the romantic elements of the story, which isn't a bad thing in itself, I was just expected something more. I did enjoy the film for the most part, it's funny, has a charming cast and ofI was not expecting this film to focus so much on the romantic elements of the story, which isn't a bad thing in itself, I was just expected something more. I did enjoy the film for the most part, it's funny, has a charming cast and of course, GREAT music.

I just feel there was potential for something more and it feels a bit wasted.… Expand

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5

The3AcademySinsJan 6, 2020

Under-developed and under-explored, Yesterday takes an amazing premise and turns it into a color-by-numbers romantic drama. What's upsetting to me is that this movie could have been GREAT. The idea that one man can remember The Beatles musicUnder-developed and under-explored, Yesterday takes an amazing premise and turns it into a color-by-numbers romantic drama. What's upsetting to me is that this movie could have been GREAT. The idea that one man can remember The Beatles music and run with it presents so many cool possibilities that the story completely ignores in favor of some really uncomfortably awkward fling. The performances are okay. The story really misunderstands the concept of music, and acts like the songs are good enough to stand on their own without an extremely charismatic performer. The direction is really bland, but does have a stylistic flair that appears out of nowhere for one or two scenes. Overall, this movie is just kind of "meh."… Expand

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5

JLuis_001Jul 10, 2019

First of all I have to get something out of my chest and it's for the producers and writer of this film: **** you!!!
And that's because they thought they could do a simple romantic comedy with the Beatles music and they were going to get awayFirst of all I have to get something out of my chest and it's for the producers and writer of this film: **** you!!!
And that's because they thought they could do a simple romantic comedy with the Beatles music and they were going to get away with it.

This film was written by Richard Curtis and if anyone had told me that he also directed it, I would never have doubted it. That should give you a little idea of where the **** Danny Boyle went with this story.
He was going to direct the new James Bond film and instead he ended up delivering this.

There's no surprise or revelation in this film. It's a simplistic romantic comedy that doesn't propose anything new nor it tries to do it.
The story and the characters are not endearing in any way and maybe the best time of it and probably one that will save it beyond the Beatles music is the scene with Robert Carlyle playing John Lennon (Hey, they managed to make Yoko Ono disappear)
Beyond that there isn't much more to say.

If new generations discover the Beatles with this film, well that's fine, all the better for it.
I assume that for many it was like that with Bohemian Rhapsody for Queen and Rocketman for Elton John but if so, it also depresses me because evidently in musical terms they're not paying attention where they should be… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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5

CinemaCrushNov 3, 2019

Oh boy, how do I review this one. Well, first off, if you're expecting exciting Danny Boyle and don't care TOO much for the Beatles, don't even bother. The acting is fine. The idea is great. The Beatles music is great. It STILL comes outOh boy, how do I review this one. Well, first off, if you're expecting exciting Danny Boyle and don't care TOO much for the Beatles, don't even bother. The acting is fine. The idea is great. The Beatles music is great. It STILL comes out incredibly 2 dimensional. Boyle has such a knack for making things exciting. For instance 127 Hours has less going on that this film does, and isn't much to the story. But with the usual Boyleness, it pulls out great excitement and a fun viewing. 'Yesterday' just kinda takes a brilliant idea and meanders around with it. If you're a big Beatles fan, you will find a little charm in it. I would say for lighthearted viewing for Beatles fans only. If the music wasn't as good, or the Beatles jokes, I'd likely have given it a 2 rather than a 5. The Beatles hold this film up, plain and simple.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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6

theredskyJul 6, 2019

This is a decent movie that I thoroughly enjoyed. Here are the negatives. Just like Ma and Brightburn, the concept of the film is really good but it isn’t explored enough. You want to know more but it decides to focus on more character drama.This is a decent movie that I thoroughly enjoyed. Here are the negatives. Just like Ma and Brightburn, the concept of the film is really good but it isn’t explored enough. You want to know more but it decides to focus on more character drama. Ed Sheeran is not the best actor in the world and he just looks incredibly awkward in this film. In most scenes he is in, it looks like he is incredibly confused. Another aspect would be that there are a lot of plotholes thrown into this film that when you notice them, it starts to take you out of the experience. The editing for this film is not good at all. There are too many cuts for some scenes and scenes just keep cutting away every 2-3 seconds when it shouldn’t. The camera angles are so obnoxious in some scenes that it is distracting. Some scenes are tilted at a 45 degree angle for no apparent reason at all and it is just annoying. The humor is not that funny at all and I only chuckled one joke throughout the entire film. I’m not huge on Kate McKinnon as the primary antagonist in this movie. She just feels out of place surrounded by everyone else. Here are the positives. Himesh Patel and Lily James do a great job and have great chemistry together. Patel’s performance is actually really good. He gives a ton of emotion, he’s a good singer, and he knew what he was doing. Most of the supporting cast does a good job with what they are given. I was surprised about how much heart there was in this film. You genuinely care about the experiences they go through. There is one particular scene that I feel is very very touching. Patel’s character is given an address and he drives to this secluded location where he knocks on the door and John Lennon answers it. He gives some inspirational words to Patel’s character and it is very nice, emotional, and touching. The new renditions of The Beatles songs is actually pretty good. I enjoyed listening to them a lot. The cinematography is good in most areas but it is not special. The tone remains consistent throughout the entire film and it’s also paced really well. Overall, Yesterday is a great Beatles love letter with lots of heart, good acting, and interesting renditions of good songs but is held back by major plot holes, poor editing, weird casting choices, and an underexplored premise. I give Yesterday a 6/10.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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4

Mauro_LanariOct 14, 2019

(Mauro Lanari)
The idea of the second chance thanks to an alternative/parallel world good for the cosmology of the MCU, a lovingly clumsy protagonist for unexplained reasons, the songs of the Fab Four and their epigones considered essential(Mauro Lanari)
The idea of the second chance thanks to an alternative/parallel world good for the cosmology of the MCU, a lovingly clumsy protagonist for unexplained reasons, the songs of the Fab Four and their epigones considered essential for a better world without any counterfactual. Boyle and Curtis churn out a product with a golden and inconsistent surface. Be careful to scratch off the patina.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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6

JiricekisbestAug 31, 2019

When I went to these movies, I was honestly expecting something else. I expected to see another great music movie like Bohemian Rhpsody or Rocketman. The story and the plot is interesting, but poorly used for me. The end of the film can beWhen I went to these movies, I was honestly expecting something else. I expected to see another great music movie like Bohemian Rhpsody or Rocketman. The story and the plot is interesting, but poorly used for me. The end of the film can be guessed in the first 20 minutes. The second third of the film is starting to pull and in my case, I even started to fall asleep, maybe it is just because this film is more for women, it does not mean anything wrong, but just that he would not sit down and enjoy everyone.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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4

Eduardo7u7Oct 15, 2019

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. la película tiene un final sin sentido y el trama del tráiler (que la verdad hubiera quedado muy bien) no se mostró, más que de una forma banal… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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5

netflicJul 13, 2019

Interesting idea. Great music (duh!). The rest - the script, performance, casting, directing - at least mediocre. Overall, a pathetic movie. Not a proper tribute to one of the greatest (if not THE greatest) bands in human history.

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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4

fantasyJun 29, 2019

I was so looking forward to seeing this movie. How could you not with the entire world never hearing of the Beatles and their great music except for one down and out person. The premise was outstanding for a romantic musical comedy.I was so looking forward to seeing this movie. How could you not with the entire world never hearing of the Beatles and their great music except for one down and out person. The premise was outstanding for a romantic musical comedy. Unfortunately, within a half an hour the entire movie comes off the rails as it disintegrates into a boring, by the numbers, predictable “how did they completely ruin this movie!” Avoid.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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5

MarkHReviewsJul 5, 2019

“Yesterday” is based on a truly inspired premise: following a 12-second blackout around the globe, we enter a world where no one other than the hero of the piece, Jack Malik, has ever heard of The Beatles. We never know why, we just become“Yesterday” is based on a truly inspired premise: following a 12-second blackout around the globe, we enter a world where no one other than the hero of the piece, Jack Malik, has ever heard of The Beatles. We never know why, we just become aware that it’s happened. This turn of events is extremely convenient, since Jack is a musician who would have to improve his stage presence and his repertoire in order to graduate to the category of “struggling artist.” But suddenly, Jack has at his disposal the entire Beatles songbook. Appropriating their songs as his own, Jack becomes an overnight sensation.

This film benefits from a fabulous cast, in both major and minor roles. As Jack, Himesh Patel (“EastEnders”) is an appealing, compelling actor with the musical chops to carry off his singing role convincingly. As his friend/manager Ellie, Lily James (“Downton Abbey,” “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again”) is simply luminous. James is so appealing that one of the more implausible elements of the script is Jack’s ambivalence about his feelings for her. Ed Sheeran, as Ed Sheeran, is funny and self-deprecating. Sarah Lancashire (“Happy Valley”) clearly is enjoying herself in a small but critical role.

For 80% of the film, the story, the music and the characters are all great fun. We’re treated to a series of well-delivered Beatles tunes (18 in all), a pretty traditional rom-com story line and the feeling that “all our troubles seemed so far away.” And there are so many places the screenplay could have taken us: an exploration of the dangers of instant fame, a critique of the music industry, a dissection of the consequences of building a career on plagiarism. Instead, in act three, Screenwriter Richard Curtis (“Love Actually,” the under-appreciated “Pirate Radio”) simply loses his mind. Inexplicably, he introduces a gratuitous Beatles reference that had many, including myself, squirming with discomfort. And the way Curtis’s script resolves the love story and Jack’s plagiarism is unsatisfyingly simplistic to the point of insulting the audience. I don’t think I’ve ever before experienced a movie where I was so appreciative of the initial premise, so won over by the characters and so transported by the music, only to leave during the closing credits feeling let down, frustrated, even offended. “Now I need a place to hide away, oh I believed in ‘Yesterday.’”… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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4

Millard12Jun 28, 2019

Loved this movie, so different, lead actor brilliant and can sing! Who cares if its not appearing as real, its a lot of fun. Would love to know Ed's thoughts!

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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4

One-rAug 9, 2019

"Yesterday", just as "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Rocketman", is meant to be a film based on a band, so a lot of The Beatle's music is supposed to be played during the course of it, but it failed to do so as they kept switching back and forth

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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5

buffmysequelJul 8, 2019

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. As a tentative fan of both Boyle and Curtis and an even Beatles fan I thought that this movie would indeed tickle my fancy in more ways but one. Did I leave the theater satisfied? Yes. Did I leave blown away? No. Will I bother watching this film again? No. My thoughts are that this film was a missed opportunity to explore the wonderful back catalogue of the greatest band since music was first recorded. Instead, we are left with a movie devoid of character development (especially in the two main protagonists) and instead relying on silly cameos from Ed Sheeran who I felt wasn't great in this, stick to music Ed. Perhaps a bit of history between the two main characters from their youth? Instead of the stupid cut back to the "wonderwall" scene? Another issue is the plot, how can somebody remember all of the chords and lyrics to all of the Beatles songs? Why do the two characters who visit Jack after the hotel / beach gig remember the Beatles also? This isn't explained very well. Why did John Lennon not start his own band? Where were the other 3 Beatles during this? I left with a longing for more information, but certainly not a longing for more of this film, the idea is good, the way that the idea is put onto screen isn't. Nothing to do with the cast, but I feel the writing and direction wasn't as good as the two names that are associated with this movie should be.… Expand