Danny Boyle‘s new film starts off quickly. Unsuccessful musician Jack Malik (Himesh Patel) has been playing for his 4 fans and manager/roadie/almost girlfriend Ellie (Lily James) in pubs and on the street for years. After a performance at a side stage of a big festival attracts the same audience size, he wants to quit and become a teacher again. Then he gets into a car accident just as there‘s a global blackout. When Jack wakes up, he has lost some teeth, but the rest of the world seems to have lost a lot more; no one seems to be able to remember any Beatles songs anymore, amongst other things. Jack finally sees an opportunity, but the path to becoming a superstar with Beatles songs gets off to a bumpy start.

Himesh Patel is an incredibly charming protagonist who hopefully has a glorious career in front of him. However, the film loses some steam in its second hour. The fact that Jack isn‘t able to confess his love to Ellie, even after she accuses him of “friendzoning,“ is less exciting than the entertaining idea of a world without Beatles hits (and without a whole series of post-Beatles bands like Oasis). Screenwriter Richard Curtis has a slew of cute, romantic comedies like FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL, NOTTING HILL, and BRIDGET JONES‘ DIARY under his belt, but the edge is missing here. However, YESTERDAY isn‘t the worst choice for a nice summer evening if you want to discuss the likelihood of “She Loves You“ being a hit today over some cider, and Patel sings the songs convincingly and with verve.

Tom Dorow (INDIEKINO MAGAZIN)

Translation: Elinor Lewy