Across the Universe was plagued with bad behind the scenes controversy. The film premiered at the 2007 Toronto International Film Festival, but was not screened for national press before the film’s nationwide release. And when the film hit, the critics called the film a “cliched love story.” My friend Jen Yamato at Rotten Tomatoes loved the film, and recommended it highly at TIFF. I was a little less amazed by the story but really dug the musical numbers (and especially the revamped Beatles tunes). I got back to the hotel and immediately bought the two disc set off iTunes (off topic question: is it still called a two disc set when you buy it digitally?).
The movie hit theaters in a limited release nearly a month ago, and for the most part, critics I have run into have called the film a mess, Until this weekend. I ran into quite a few people in Hollywood who excitedly asked me “Have you seen Across The Universe yet?” They wanted to share their experience. The most surprising was a prominent movie website webmaster/writer who you’d never expect to love this film, but did.
And today I ran across an article in the Los Angeles Times which suggests that Across the Universe could become “the next cult sensation.”
“After three weeks in theaters, the PG-13 movie finally penetrated the top 10 by connecting with a zealous core constituency: teenage girls, who, anecdotal evidence suggests, are going to see the movie in packs, bonding with one another (and the film) through repeated viewings and popularizing it with their school chums via word-of-mouth.”
Across The Universe will be expanding wide tomorrow (from 364 to 954 theaters). The $45-million film has taken in $8.5 million at the box office so far, but it’s slowly climbing. So can Across the Universe connect with the teen audience and become the next High School Musical? That has yet to be seen.
October 11th, 2007 at 8:03 pm
please don’t compare across the universe to high school musical, even if you’re just trying to make a point
October 11th, 2007 at 11:30 pm
I agree with Maax, it’s one thing to compare a musical to another musical… but seriously, to High School Musical?? Not only is there the HUGE age gap between the target audiences, but I’m pretty sure the subject matter and storyline varies extremely.
October 12th, 2007 at 3:44 am
the writer who uses High school musical in terms of a cult classic proves that he, himself is not only a moron but also incredibly green as a writer.
disney making millions by pandering a terribly made revamp of grease and grease two doth not a cult classic make.
had you compared it to grease, that would have been a different story.
and further more, the demographic most seen in a showing of ATU so far has been college-age kids/ or beatles fans.
do some research before you write an article.
October 12th, 2007 at 5:18 am
I’m not a teenager either, but i have to say when i went to see the movie a second time this past weekend the majority of the audience was teenagers and college age persons.
Peronsally i’m in my 30’s, and i’ve taken both my mother (60) and some of my female coworkers (40’s & 50’s) to see this movie, and everyone has loved it.
I worries me a little that this kind of press, stating that the movie may become a cult hit, and that it mainly appeals to teens, will end up hurting the movie in the eyes of the older crowd, who would love the movie, but wouldn’t want to see it because they will now think it’s a “teen” thing. (whew.. run-on sentence!)
October 12th, 2007 at 11:43 am
“I was a little less amazed by the story but really dug the musical numbers (and especially the revamped Beatles tunes)”
The writer realized EVERY song in the movie was a Beatles tune right?
October 12th, 2007 at 12:48 pm
I’d actually really like to see this, as a Beatles fan. Thats probly the only reason really, but I’d still like to see it. But, after now two expansions to more theaters, its STILL not playing anywhere near me! Can’t express how angry this makes me politely.
October 12th, 2007 at 2:32 pm
This was the 2nd best movie I’ve seen all year, right behind Grindhouse. It touched on a lot of subjects this generation of people haven’t really experienced, including Vietnam being brought live into the homes across America, the 60’s-70’s rebellious are, the price of freedom, the war at home, and just the way people from different sides of the world lived their lives. As a 22 year old, I hope people from all ages will get a chance to see this movie, not just because The Beatles rock, but because it’s a beautiful love story told through music and art (as a male, that’s the only time that sentence will be typed)
October 12th, 2007 at 4:50 pm
Who was this webmaster, because I thought I’d read just about every review of this thing going and I can’t identify who you mean.
While I’m here, let me say that Across the Universe is, without a doubt, the best film of 2007.
October 12th, 2007 at 10:39 pm
I am not sure what to say about the movie. Here I am a lifelong Beatle savant….know every word to every song…what they mean, who plays what instruments….popular misconceptions…etc
I very much enjoyed the movie, metaphors were either deliberate or heavy handed, but the interweaving of the characters was and their psuedo similarities to other famous artists, was the creative aspect. I very much enjoyed the blending of the interpretation of the Strawberries and the pinnacle of the vietnam war. Although this is not historically accurate towards the meaning of the song….it was played with the meaning of the creator of the movie.
Joe Cocker was a deliscious hidden gem. After all Joe helped make many royalty dollars for the Beatles with his far out arrangement of With a Little Help From My Friends.
I give it 4.5 out of 5 or 9 out of 10, I’d go higher but I am still getting my head around someone elses twisting of the meaning of songs to their screenplay AND I am not sure how which characters had what traits kept and morphed and weaved from other characters.
To me I say Sadie was a little Janis Joplin, Jo Jo was clearly Jimi Hendrix, but not biographically so. Jude did have some similarity to Paul…big, dark sad eyes and all that, but he seemed to be a Little John Lennon.
Prudence was who? Partly she was locked in a room and the song really written about her, Dear Prudence was sung by all…but Prudence was some bonus, lonely character - odd….good…and odd.
I could go on all night. I recommend everyone see it at least twice.
October 13th, 2007 at 6:51 pm
i’ve seen this movie three times now and being 17 and a teenager it kind of offends me that people won’t go see it just because of the age group this movie is attracting. i’m not one of those that just goes to see the movie for the “hot guys” in it. i actually went to see it because of the musical talent. all of the stars had amazing voices and also the cameos were great as well. i’m planning on seeing this movie a few more times before they take it out of the theaters. it is by FAR the greatest movie this year.
October 14th, 2007 at 2:14 pm
This holds so much more greater meaning then High School Musical. Not only do i feel High School Musical is a complete load of crap the music are not or will never be classics. These songs were written by the beatles during a time of revolution, Taymor incorporates this by not only her amazingly talented directing but the story itself. The story to some is dull, but what they don’t understand is if you analyze the film as i have (seen the movie four times now) you see how she incorporates greater meanings. For example:
The vietnamese women dancing on the water, to some this is a complete waste of filming time, but if you look past the surface it is illustrating the war comming to an end.
Everytime i have gone to this movie people have enjoyed it for the songs, and the ending. I hate the comment “they must have been high the whole time making that film!” How can people be so nieve! And to think someone would even consider placing this is the same ‘blog’ as High School Muscial allows me to see that few are watching the movei for its meaning and just because of its beatles songs and the imagery. Please if you do decide to go to the movie WHICH YOU SHOULD! Don’t just skim the surface, dig in! This is not High School Musical or Moulin Rouge, this is Forest Gump; in the fact of it being a revolutionary film.
March 24th, 2008 at 10:12 am
I saw the preview for this movie and was intrigued with in seconds.
Needless to say I went to catch this flick the day it was released in theaters.
To be honest it was not what I was expecting but so much more.
In my opinion and I hate to sound cliché but you will either love it or hate it.
There are two types of people “thinkers” and “feelers”, this movie is for feelers.
The characters were developed quite well for a musical and the symbolism was magnificent.
What caught me the most was the choreography.
If you are an artsy individual I highly recommend seeing it.