An overly exhaustive review of ‘Yesterday’

The Journey of Chuck Barth and His Film "Cover Version"

Overview of the Film's Concept

• After 40 years in the industry, Chuck Barth sold his first movie titled "Cover Version," which explores themes of talent, fame, and success through the story of a musician named Jack.

• Jack experiences an unexplainable event that makes him the only person in the world who remembers The Beatles, leading to small cult popularity but not the fame he expected.

Reflection on Personal Experience

• Barth wrote from personal experience, contemplating how if he had created something as monumental as Star Wars or The Beatles' songs, he might not have achieved success himself.

• This theme reflects professional disappointment; Jack learns that personal expression does not guarantee popular validation.

Transition to Richard Curtis

• The film was eventually taken over by writer Richard Curtis, who loved the concept but altered it significantly.

• Curtis changed Jack's journey so that he quickly becomes a pop music sensation without much struggle, resulting in a film titled "Yesterday," released in 2019.

Critique of "Yesterday" and Its Execution

Initial Reception and Criticism

• Despite its box office success and decent reviews, critics noted that while the concept was original, its execution fell short due to misplaced focus.

Analysis of Character Development

• The protagonist Jack is introduced as a struggling busker whose initial performance fails to captivate audiences except for one girl named Ellie.

• Ellie's unwavering support for Jack raises questions about her motivations; she sacrifices her own dreams for his potential success despite his lackluster talent.

Themes of Disappointment and Realization

• As Jack contemplates giving up on music after years of effort with no significant progress, Ellie insists miracles can happen—highlighting their contrasting perspectives on ambition.

• Their long history together complicates their relationship dynamics; Ellie remains committed to making him a star even as time passes.

Turning Point: The Incident That Changes Everything

Catalyst Event

• A pivotal moment occurs when global power outages coincide with Jack being hit by a bus during a blackout while covering "A Day in the Life," setting off an unbelievable chain reaction in his life.

The Impact of The Beatles' Absence

Jack's Discovery of Music's Influence

• Ellie spends a significant amount on Jack, including buying him a guitar. Jack plays a song that impresses his friends, leading to discussions about the influence of The Beatles on modern music.

• Jack expresses frustration over Coldplay's existence without acknowledging The Beatles, questioning if they would still be relevant in their absence.

• In an attempt to understand the musical landscape, Jack Googles various iconic bands like The Rolling Stones and Oasis but finds no records of them existing.

Exploring Musical Legacy

• Despite the clear influence of The Beatles on many artists, it's suggested that other bands might exist unchanged due to superficial differences in style or appearance.

• A humorous yet frustrating scene unfolds as Jack realizes the broader implications of The Beatles' absence extend beyond just music; it affects cultural commodities like Coca-Cola.

Personal Struggles and Realizations

• As he grapples with his identity as a musician, Jack begins adopting Beatles lyrics as his own while facing confusion from those around him regarding popular brands and references.

• This leads to a realization that the universe is altered significantly by the absence of influential figures like The Beatles, highlighting missed opportunities for deeper exploration.

Performance Challenges

• A comedic scene shows Jack struggling to perform at home due to interruptions, emphasizing his growing frustration with both external distractions and internal doubts about his talent.

• He recognizes that despite having great songs, it’s not just about the music; factors such as personality and timing play crucial roles in success.

Recording Opportunities

• After realizing he needs to improve himself rather than blame external factors, he receives an offer from Gavin—who resembles a classic Beatle—to record his songs professionally.

• During recording sessions, Jack chooses not to alter lyrics from "I Saw Her Standing There," which raises ethical concerns given its original context involving underage themes.

Rising Fame and Recognition

• Following local performances where he gains some recognition, Ed Sheeran contacts him after seeing his TV performance and offers him an opening act position for an upcoming show.

• This marks a turning point for Jack as he begins gaining traction in the music industry thanks to Sheeran's endorsement.

Jack's Musical Journey and the Impact of Social Media

Ellie’s Shift in Focus

• Ellie becomes passionate about her teaching job, opting not to accompany Jack on his tour, which opens up a spot for Rocky.

Performance Dynamics

• Jack performs in Russia with just an electric guitar, raising questions about the effectiveness of solo performances for classic rock songs that typically require a full band.

Unexpected Success

• Despite initial doubts, Jack gains popularity on social media after his performance, surprising even a mysterious figure in the crowd who seems to recognize his potential.

Competition with Ed Sheeran

• After congratulating Jack, Ed Sheeran challenges him to write a song in 10 minutes. This leads to humorous moments as Ed presents a polished song while Jack impressively outperforms him.

Record Deal Opportunity

• Kate McKinnon appears as a record executive who invites Jack to Los Angeles for a deal, highlighting the film's comedic transitions and industry satire.

The Complexity of Relationships and Artistic Integrity

Ellie's Feelings Revealed

• Ellie expresses her feelings towards Jack during their conversation about roles in their relationship, indicating deeper emotional stakes than previously acknowledged.

Recording George Harrison's Masterpiece

• Jack records "Something" by George Harrison on acoustic guitar. The discussion emphasizes the song's intricate musical elements that contribute to its status as one of the greatest love songs.

Behind-the-Scenes Insights

Deleted Scenes and Character Dynamics

• A deleted scene reveals an interaction between Jack and Anna de Armas' character that complicates his relationship with Ellie but was ultimately cut from the final film for narrative clarity.

Exploring Universal Logic

• The absence of cigarettes in this universe raises questions about its internal logic and implications regarding characters' histories related to smoking-related health issues.

Growing Fame and Personal Connections

Montage of Success

• A montage illustrates Jack’s rise through social media fame while he grapples with personal relationships amidst newfound success.

Emotional Climax

• In Liverpool, romantic tension escalates between Ellie and Jack as they share intimate moments before she asserts her desire for something more meaningful than just a fleeting romance.

Jack and Ellie: A Missed Connection?

Jack's Realization of Love

• Ellie confronts Jack about her long-standing feelings for him, stating that it's too late now that he has achieved fame as a singer-songwriter while she remains just a school teacher.

• She offers to stay with him only if he chooses to abandon his dreams, highlighting the tension between personal aspirations and romantic relationships.

The Marketing Meeting

• During a marketing meeting, Jack's album title suggestions are criticized for being unoriginal, mirroring Beatles' titles without context.

• The focus shifts to Jack's uniqueness in the music industry—his solo songwriting without collaborations or samples, emphasizing his individuality.

Late Late Show Appearance

• On James Corden’s show, Jack discusses how he writes all his songs alone, contrasting with modern trends of multiple collaborators.

• Two men claim backstage that their band is responsible for all of Jack's songs, leading to an unexpected encounter with Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr (not actually them).

The Pressure of Fame

Launching the Album

• Ed Sheeran makes a cameo in the film; however, one of the jokes falls flat when he suggests "Hey Dude" sounds better than "Hey Jude."

• As pressure mounts from his newfound fame, Jack feels increasingly like a fraud during his album launch at an old hotel where he used to perform.

Audience Interaction

• An audience member questions why Jack doesn't record in every road like The Beatles did. This highlights expectations versus reality in music production.

A World Without The Beatles

Encountering Fans Who Remember

• A woman thanks Jack for performing Beatles songs since they believe they are among the few who remember them. This moment emphasizes nostalgia and loss.

A Heartwarming Scene with John Lennon

• In a surprising twist, Jack meets John Lennon (portrayed by Robert Carlyle), who shares insights about happiness and life experiences.

• Their conversation reveals Lennon's contentment in life despite not being part of the music scene anymore.

Reflections on Life and Legacy

Emotional Connection

• The interaction between Jack and Lennon evokes warmth as they discuss life's journey; it becomes one of the most relatable moments in the film.

Brief Yet Impactful Encounter

• Although brief, Lennon's portrayal resonates deeply with viewers as it encapsulates themes of love and legacy within music history.

The Climax of "Yesterday" and Its Themes

Ed Sheeran's Performance and Jack's Revelation

• The film reaches its climax with Ed Sheeran's Wembley performance, where Jack performs iconic songs like "I Saw Her Standing There," "Here Comes the Sun," and "All You Need Is Love."

• Jack confesses to Ellie and the audience that the songs he has been performing actually belong to The Beatles, showcasing his guilt over profiting from their work.

Character Dynamics Post-Performance

• After the show, Jack admits his love for Ellie, while Gavin humorously acknowledges his role as a secondary character in this narrative.

• A new female character appears, hinting at potential romantic options for Jack, emphasizing the theme of happy endings prevalent in romantic comedies.

Reflections on Film Quality and Direction

• The speaker expresses difficulty critiquing a film that celebrates The Beatles but feels "Yesterday" fails to honor their legacy adequately.

• Director Danny Boyle’s signature style is noted as muted in this film compared to his previous works like "127 Hours" and "Steve Jobs."

Missed Opportunities in Storytelling

• Questions arise about how different the film could have been if it followed an alternate storyline where Jack only achieves cult popularity instead of mainstream success.

• This alternative approach could explore deeper themes regarding fame, self-worth, and humility related to The Beatles' unprecedented success.

Exploring Consequences of a World Without The Beatles

• The film barely explores the ramifications of a world without The Beatles beyond superficial jokes about other cultural icons not existing.

• Ideas are presented on how society might differ significantly without their influence—ranging from music styles to sociopolitical landscapes.

Critique of Writing Quality

• There's frustration over how little impact is shown regarding life without The Beatles; it suggests their absence doesn't alter reality much at all.

• A line from another character highlights that a world without The Beatles would be worse, yet the film fails to depict this effectively due to lazy writing.

Discussion on "Yesterday" Film and Personal Insights

Critique of the Film's Writing and Direction

• The speaker acknowledges the achievement of selling their first screenplay at 62, highlighting it as a significant milestone.

• While praising the actors for their performances, the speaker criticizes the writing and direction of the film, specifically calling out Danny Boyle for not meeting expectations.

• The speaker invites opinions from viewers who enjoyed "Yesterday," indicating an openness to differing perspectives on the film.

Engagement with Viewers

• The speaker encourages viewers to share their thoughts on why they might disagree with his critique, fostering a dialogue around differing opinions.

• A call to action is made for viewers to like the video if they appreciated his commentary, emphasizing its importance in helping others discover his content.

• The speaker teases an upcoming video focused on a favorite musical biopic, promising a breakdown of its merits and lessons for other films.