Yesterday, a title extracted from one of The Beatles' famous numbers, tells the story of a struggling, average musician who hasn't got a breakthrough, stumbling upon a miracle that changes his life overnight! The world has forgotten who The Beatles are, except for the protagonist as he takes advantage of this situation for a career boost. What happens next is left for you to find out.
This is one of Danny Boyle's simplest films in a long time. It has some of the cutest characters, relationships and friendships you'll come across, along with genuinely funny sequences. Himesh Patel was an on-point casting for the role of Jack Malik, and his constant underdog moments are tragically hilarious! Parents keep getting the name of his song wrong, googling all things that magically disappeared from living memory along with The Beatles such as cigarette, Coca Cola and Harry Potter, trying to extract lyrics for The Beatles' tracks from his head, Ed Sheeran's surprise visit, Rocky's (Joel Fry) blunders, Ed Sheeran sweetly admitting Jack Malik is better than him and all of Jack's conversations with his agent Debra (fantastic performance by Kate McKinnon!) are enjoyable! However, Jed Malik (Sanjeev Bhaskar) behaving like a total clown here and there is annoying.
The director's making is solid without a doubt. The score is enigmatic and the musical sequences are soothing! You could tell how much of a visual director Danny Boyle is through the 'head-spinning' shot during Jack's interview in James Corden's show. Richard Curtis' reversal for the two individuals who know The Beatles' originals as they meet Jack is an example of good writing!
Speaking of writing, this is by far the weakest element of the motion picture. The number one question in everyone's mind would be - how is this story going to end? What would happen if people find out the truth? While we are given an answer towards the end of the movie, it seems the makers have completely watered down the consequences and repercussions of the protagonist's action. It is a hard but right choice for Jack to spell out the actual, which we highly appreciate. But him admitting to an act of fraud, receiving 'Awws' plus applauses as he releases his album free to everyone before proposing to the girl he loves and leaving to live a happy ever after life as if nothing criminal has happened, is underwhelming and underdeveloped. Also, no boyfriend would give away their girlfriend just like that, come on!
Since we are on the topic of things being half-baked, we really didn't understand or aren't provided a clear picture on why or what the issue is with Jack accepting or being with Ellie (Lily James). We are able to empathize with Ellie as she doesn't know why Jack doesn't see her the way she sees him and the emotional distance she begins feeling after Jack stops playing his own tunes in exchange for The Beatles', but the writing certainly failed to make us see Jack point-of-view in all of this.