A British-Indian shelf stocker (Himesh Patel) whose side
career as a musician and singer is going nowhere finds his life transformed
when a brief but global blackout somehow retroactively removes the Beatles from
history and from everyone's memory except his. That leaves him free to become
the world's most famous performer by recording the Fab Four's songs as his own.
On his ascent to universal celebrity, which is aided by pop star Ed Sheeran,
playing himself, his devoted manager and would-be girlfriend (Lily James)
willingly steps aside in favor of a harshly cynical industry insider (Kate McKinnon)
while a slacker (Joel Fry) from his small home town in Suffolk becomes his
less-than-reliable roadie. More charming than logical, director Danny Boyle's
comic counter-history is populated with appealing characters and, as scripted
by Richard Curtis, puts its protagonist through some amusing situations. The
romance at the heart of it all reaches a moral wrap-up but not before initial
restraint gives way to premature passion. Together with the violations of the
Second Commandment with which the screenplay is littered, that lapse suggests
this otherwise amiable fantasy is best for grown viewers.
Watch out for: Implied
premarital sexual activity, mature references, including to drug use and
sexuality, numerous profanities, at least one rough term, occasional crude and
crass language.
Rated: A-III, adults; MPAA:
PG-13
© Arlington Catholic Herald 2019