Across the Universe (2007)
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A young shipyard worker travels from Liverpool to the US to find his father, leading to a series of interconnected lives during the 1960s.
The story
In the 1960s, Jude Feeney, a young shipyard worker in Liverpool, travels to the United States to find his father, whom he has never met. Meanwhile, in New Jersey, Lucy Carrigan worries about her boyfriend heading to the Vietnam War, while in Ohio, a cheerleader named Prudence drops out of school. The narrative weaves together these lives as Jude meets his father at Princeton University and eventually moves into a bohemian enclave in Greenwich Village. As the characters navigate personal struggles, the Vietnam War, and the counterculture movement, their paths begin to converge in New York City.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In the 1960s, Jude Feeney leaves Liverpool for the US to find his father, Wes, a janitor at Princeton. After a brief meeting, Jude befriends Max, a student who takes him to his family. They eventually move to Greenwich Village, where Jude becomes an artist and Max a cab driver. Meanwhile, Lucy Carrigan's boyfriend Daniel is killed in Vietnam, and she later meets Jude, with whom she falls in love. In Detroit, Jo-Jo moves to New York to join Sadie's band, eventually joined by Prudence, who fled her school in shame. As Lucy becomes active in the anti-war movement, she faces conflict with Jude over her involvement with activist Paco. After a series of events including Jude's arrest and deportation back to England, he eventually returns to New York legally. The story concludes with a rooftop concert where Jo-Jo, Sadie, and Prudence perform. Jude manages to stay on the roof to sing as the police arrive, catching a final glimpse of Lucy on the opposite rooftop.
- First release year
- 2007
- Runtime (minutes)
- 133
- Production countries
- United States; United Kingdom
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Julie Taymor
- Writers
- Dick Clement · screenplay; Ian La Frenais · screenplay; Dick Clement · story; Ian La Frenais · story; Julie Taymor · story
- Cast and characters
- Jim Sturgess · Jude Feeney; Evan Rachel Wood · Lucy Carrigan; Joe Anderson · Max; T. V. Carpio
- Genres
- jukebox musical; romantic drama
- Themes
- Anti-war sentiment; Counterculture; Search for identity; Long-distance love
- Tone and mood
- Psychedelic; Romantic; Melancholic
- Premise and plot tags
- Historical Romance; Musical; Vietnam War; Hippie Culture
- Source material / true-story basis
- An original story by Taymor, Clement, and La Frenais, based on the song 'Across the Universe' by John Lennon.
- Reception
- The film received mixed reviews from critics, with many praising the visuals, cast, and singing performances, though criticizing the plot and direction. It was a major box-office bomb.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 53% · review count: 176; Metacritic · score: 56 · scale: 100 · review count: 29
- Awards and nominations
- Golden Globe · Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy · Nominee; Oscar · Best Costume Design · Nominee; GLAAD Media Awards · Best Film – Wide Release · Nominee
- Production trivia
- The names of the six main characters were inspired by Beatles song titles and lyrics.; The film's production budget was originally reported as $45 million but was actually $70.8 million.; Two members of the supporting cast performed as part of a special Beatles tribute at the 50th Grammy Awards.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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