The anticipation is over: “Across the Universe” is finally at a theater near you.
Almost a month after its official release date, the film will open in the Eugene area this weekend.
“Across the Universe” blends the music of The Beatles and extraordinary visual effects to tell the story of a young man from Liverpool named Jude and the love,
“Across the Universe”What: “Across the Universe,” a musical film based on songs by The Beatles and set in New York City during the 1960s Who: Directed by Julie Taymor and starring Jim Sturgess, Evan Rachel Wood and Joe Anderson For more information visit www.acrosstheuniverse.com |
confusion and freedom he found in America while searching for his father in the 1960s.
England-native Jim Sturgess stars as Jude, alongside co-stars Evan Rachel Wood and Joe Anderson.
Sturgess felt he had a lot in common with his character.
“I was pretty much picked up from London and dropped in New York City,” he said in a phone interview. “I was just blown away by the whole place.”
Director Julie Taymor insisted that the actors perform all of the songs live. Sturgess admitted it was a difficult process.
“We watched a lot of other musicals to see how they did it. (Characters) would be talking and then just kind of burst into song in this fantastical way. We really didn’t want to do that,” he said. “We wanted to keep the singing sound like an extension of the dialogue.”
The film uses timeless songs such as “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” “Come Together” and “Let it Be” to propel the plot.
The Beatles’ members are great poets and musicians, Sturgess said.
“Their songs are always catchy, even in their most obscure stages,” he said. “They were really at the forefront of a time where youth felt important for a change.”
The film demonstrates an era when youth spoke up for the first time, Sturgess said.
“The youth found a voice through the power of art. Rock ‘n’ roll music was such a huge way of finding and (maintaining) that voice,” he said.
Comparisons can be drawn from the film’s 1960s themes and the 21st century.
“Obviously we’re kind of tackling the same problems with the war,” Sturgess said. “Yeah, we don’t have the draft but if we did, I’m sure there would be a very similar reaction today as there was back then.”
Sturgess hopes people leave the movie theater inspired.
“I hope that they’ll be moved,” he said. “I hope that they’ll be entertained. …that they’ll start listening to The Beatles again and that they’ll question what’s going on in the world.”
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