Universal Pictures Film Review - Yesterday

Jack Malik (Himesh Patel) is a down and out singer-songwriter whose dream of becoming a working musician is hanging by its last chord. He plays in pubs, small halls, and hotels in Suffolk where he's more background noise than featured performer. Jack has one true supporter Ellie (Lily James) his manager, roadie, booker, driver and cheerleader helping him to keep going. But after a dismal gig in front of a handful of toddlers in a side tent at a local marquee music festival, he finally decides that this is the end.

However, Jack is literally hit by a bus knocking him unconsciousness during a worldwide power outage waking up in hospital seemingly the only person that can remember the Beatles. Suddenly the discount store shelf stocker with a teaching certificate scrambles to remember the words to the Beatles catalogue. Using post-it notes to build his set list Jack starts performing the songs, gaining worldwide fame landing an opening gig for Ed Sheeran who has far more than a cameo role in the film. He soon catches the eye of Sheeran's manager Debra Hammer (Kate McKinnon) playing the opportunistic shark record exec to the hilt. Whisking Jack off to L.A. to record a double album that is destined to be the greatest of all time and that will afford her the opportunity to build an even bigger beach house.

Director Danny Boyle alongside writer Richard Curtis takes the what if fantasy in unexpected directions that are heartwarming, eerie, surprising and exceedingly humorous. A strong secondary thread of the piece is Jack's missed pop culture references. The blank stares forcing him to consult Google for a series of whacky results.

Yesterday is a crowd pleaser for all comers. The melodies are unmatched and whether you are a  Beatlemanic or only like a handfull of songs their presentation will bring a smile to your face as you tap along to Jack's performances. Patel & James slide easily into their roles as they dance around each other with Jack heading off on tour with Sheeran then to record in L.A. while Ellie remains committed to teaching her students in Suffolk. Although the songs fit any generation the album titles and lyrics may not. As Jack's L.A. record label powerhouse marketing team rejects every proposed Beatles album title and Ed Sheeran changes in a recording session the title of Hey Jude to Hey Dude.

*** 1/2  Out of 4.

Yesterday| Danny Boyle | U.K. | 2019 | 116 Minutes.

Tags: The Beatles, Suffolk, Latitude Music Festival, Blackout, When I'm 64, Coca-Cola, Ed Sheerer, Russia, U.S.S.R., L.A , Liverpool, Post It Notes.