On Friday I watched the film “Across the Universe.” It tells a love story based around a collection of The Beatles most popular songs sang by the characters of the movie throughout the plot. The story centers on Jude and Lucy who are in love with different people in the beginning of the story and end up falling in love. They grow closer together through the movie and then grow farther apart as she becomes more involved in protesting the Vietnam War. They break up and he leaves America to return to England. Then of course they end up together in the end.
The movie displays very well that people are created longing for things. Jude longs for freedom and something new and a handful of characters long for someone else they long for love. The movie displays some ways people fulfill their desires to feel good by using drugs and alcohol. Drugs were popular to use in the culture of that time and using them meant fitting into the crowd. Even though this crowd was against the empire of an America fighting war it showed that this crowd that might seem anti-empire in some ways could become a new empire that controls peoples’ decisions. The movie also showed themes of living in community and friendship, good ideas that fit in the kingdom. Their community perhaps did not have the most God honoring way of life but they did look out for each other. Characters display gifts and passions in art and music. Characters also stand up for what they believe in by protesting the Vietnam War.
The main point and in my opinion the best that comes across in the movie is that of all the stuff in the world what people need most is love. This is clear in the Beatles’ song “All You Need is Love” that closes the movie. This theme is important as it rings true in the love of God and all the other people in life. I find the movie does not necessarily point to God but makes a good point that love is more important than all the junk the world is selling you and money is not much good because it can’t buy you love either. Overall the movie had some good themes and displayed the power and beauty that is displayed in music and art and the movie is a great tribute to one my favorite bands the Beatles.
I personally was not a huge fan of this film, however I hadn't really taken into account the different aspects of the film as Ben has.
ReplyDeleteLove can be a huge weapon against the Empire, it just depends on how we use it.
There is some definite allusions to a battle of beauty and art versus darkness in society.
Maybe I'll have to give it another watch before I completely disregard it.
Good analysis, Ben!
ReplyDeleteI have not seen this movie yet but I would like to. Before I read this post I didn't think that this movie would have much redemptive quality but I think that it is good that the movie talks about love being more important then other worldly things. I also enjoy listening to the Beatles and will have to watch this movie some time to see have they use the songs to create this story.
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