Across the Universe and Down the Toilet

I recently watched Across the Universe, the musical dedicated to all of the Beatles' songs. Now, last years when I first saw previews for the film, I was interested in seeing it. Granted, musicals are gold in Hollywood right now. However, that does not make it a great film.

I was extremely disappointed by the film. Across the Universe relies more on its visual effects which ultimately overshadow the message of the movie. There was absolutely no character development at all. They were all one big cliched 1960s, hippie stereotype. And there was absolutely no chemistry between leads Evan Rachel Wood and Jim Sturgess. The film seemed to be more structured around the songs. They must have been thinking how do we get to the next song?

Now I am very much interested in avant-garde and new age film making, but this film is just a new level in commercialism. Across the Universe would have been better if made into a Broadway play instead of a Hollywood movie. Besides it did not do anything for any of the actors' careers. It tried to change Wood's image making her the radical war activist instead of the rebellious and promiscuous bad girl.

Overall, the film really just made me think this was Rent during the Vietnam War. And not to mention, the film is extremely slow and uneventful. It was just one big Beatles stupor throughout the entire movie. The best time to watch this movie is if you were either stoned or sloshed.