ckapilla

It's one thing to make a movie based around Beatles songs, how could you go wrong, but Across the Universe is so full of delightful surprises, so flawlessly executed, so heartfelt, it feels like a very welcome gift to our troubled world. I am no fan of on-screen dancing, but the choreography for the 'dance' numbers was so creative that I loved every minute of it. The actors singing voices all had a great sound and gave a new dimension to these "old favorites". Finally, the weaving of the songs into the storyline while sometimes predictable (and there's nothing wrong with that), at other times completely caught me off guard. I used to believe that there was no point in other musicians covering Beatles songs, because they couldn't be improved on -- after this move (and the I Am Sam soundtrack) I no longer feel that way.

How did this movie get rated 6.9 out of 10? Was Nick Nolte stuffing the ballot box? I agree with all who said it was boring and pretentious, but disagree that Julie Christie did much to help it.

After an opening scene that is a little awkward and over-done, this movie gets its bearings and manages to be "real" and utterly fantastic at the same time. The visual effects are a delight and actually portray scenes (of heaven and hell) that no one has had the nerve to attempt before. The "life lessons" it has to teach are real, valuable and well done. There are some deeply touching moments in this beautiful and brave film. The plot even borrows a bit from the final chapter of the great Indian epic the Mahabharata.