The Lennon Report

Being a huge Beatles and John Lennon fan I was surprised to see a take on that awful night John Lennon was shot that I wasn't aware of before. The story was so crazy so I did a little bit of research and couldn't believe it was basically a play by play of how it went down. Unlike most "based on true story" movies this really is mostly true. The acting was great and it really puts in you in gritty 1980 New York City. I think what I loved most was that the movie wasn't really centered on John Lennon the man, but about the people who did their best to keep the voice of a generation alive. It was such a tragic moment in time..I think they captured it well. Two thumbs up from this reviewer.

Not as bad as some say here. There is some good cinema in the surgery room, on the NFL broadcast, near Dakota (should be more of this). But the scene at the locker room, with the nurse going to comfort the doctor, both bloody under the sound of the violin, is one of the lamest in the history of movies. Both actors didn't do well. And all the journalist thing (all the script enfolding that guy) is really bad cinema- and I don't care it was the "truth". Doesn't sound true. And 50% of the film goes like this.

Even though we are not big Beatle fans we enjoyed the movie immensely. We lived through those times and had no idea of so many of the previously undisclosed facts surrounding the real event of an icon's tragic death. One of the best independent films we've enjoyed over the years and a film we would recommend even to the younger crowd who may not be as familiar with John Lennon. In this regard, the settings, costumes and scenery in general are all well done, and accurately portray the times. Those non-cellphone days are an interesting contrast for younger viewers to experience, especially from the reporting side. After having our interest piqued and delving further, we were rewarded with knowing the film was not a typical "based on fact" film, but one that very closely follows all the relevant facts.

I love this type of movie very much. I enjoyed this movie and got excited. It's a heart touching movie than ever. I love this movie very much. It was based on true events regarding the shooting of a well-known person. However, it takes on two different perspectives. The first and foremost regards a journalist who was taken to the hospital for injuries mainly to his leg while the other is of the doctor who worked at that same hospital trying to operate on the shooting victim to save his life. Unfortunately for this movie, only the latter perspective works. The journalist was not an interesting character compared to the doctor. Because it was focused on the journalist, the movie felt like a drag as it reached the end of its hour and a half run time. The lack of focus on an actually good perspective was the fatal stab to this movie that had a noble idea at its heart. For its efforts, it deserves a viewing; for its value, it deserves a seal of mediocrity.

I loved this movie. Did not really have any expectations to be dashed - as I did not really know what to expect - but was delighted and amazed at how it held my interest throughout the entire film - AND - introduced me to another facet of John Lennon's death that I had never heard about - or even considered. As another reviewer noted, there is such a difference in the reporting back in the pre-cellphone world of 1980 - as compared to now and the 24/7 - social media news world of reporting we live in today. LOVED the newsroom characters and the journalist's tenacious efforts to take advantage of his incredible "luck" of being an ER patient at the same moment John Lennon is rushed in with gunshot wounds. As a former RN at a major hospital in 1980 - I can attest to the incredibly realistic portrayal of the hospital staff in dealing with the very sad and difficult moment in time. I was totaled riveted and I really recommend this movie. Even though one is reminded of the sad point in time - when the world lost the amazing John Lennon - I walked out so satisfied and educated and it was a delightful change of pace from the high budget films I have become so used to seeing. Highly recommend!