Yesterday

             A new romantic comedy framed in an unusual fantasy. Written by Richard Curtis and directed by Danny Boyle, this is the story of Jack Malik, a failing musician who, after a mysterious worldwide blackout wakes up to be the only one who remembers The Beatles. Claiming all their songs as his own, he soon becomes the worlds most popular singer/songwriter but loses his soul in the process.

              Himesh Patel plays Jack. Mr. Patel is a very engaging young actor, who is terrific in the role. Even after he achieves fame, you can see the guilty struggle behind his eyes as he wrestles with his conscience. Lily James plays his friend and early manager who hides her love for him since he is too self absorbed to see it. Of course being a romantic comedy, love will find a way but it is a long and winding road to get there.

              Jack's rise to the top is helped along the way by Ed Sheeran, who plays himself and Kate McKinnon, who plays an overzealous shark of a record executive, openly out to capitalize on Jack's new fame. Of all the cast members, Ms. McKinnon seems to be acting in a completely different movie. Her character is so harsh and annoying, she disrupts the flow of the film every time she's on screen which I suppose is the point, but it's too over the top. Joel Fry plays the comic relief as Jack's friend and roadie. There is also a clever cameo by James Corden.

               It is great fun to hear so much wonderful Beatles music in one place and used in many clever ways. Besides the disappearance of The Beatles, there are a few other surprise things missing which adds to the fun of the concept. There is also a very strange turn late in the film which comes as even more of a magical moment. 

                Don't try to hard to analyze the repercussions of the concept. Just go with it and enjoy the cast and the music. It's a very enjoyable film.