When searching for your next uplifting family-friendly film, look no further than this 2019 romantic comedy, crafted by two titans of British filmmaking.
With celebrated writer and director Richard Curtis leading the charge, alongside Danny Boyle, it’s fair to say this touching tale was in capable hands from the outset, and audiences appear to relish every moment of it.
Released in 2019, Yesterday is a romantic comedy incorporating fantastical elements about a failing musician who finds himself in an alternate reality. In this modern day, he appears to be the sole person on the planet who recalls The Beatles – the most groundbreaking band in musical history.
As he begins to perform some of their globally renowned songs, he discovers that nobody else recognises them, and consequently, he achieves remarkable fame. He takes to the stage at some of the world’s most prestigious venues, but the burden of his deception is starting to overwhelm him, and he questions whether this existence of celebrity and wealth is truly what he desires after all.
Naturally the film features much of The Beatles’ catalogue, a component that renders it so attractive to music enthusiasts, but it came at a price to the filmmakers. It is understood that the production team spent 10 million dollars securing the rights to the music and obtained consent from the families or band members themselves.
After watching the film, one viewer wrote on Rotten Tomatoes: “I didn’t expect to like the movie as much as I did. I was having “an off day” and just wanted to see something mindless that didn’t require a lot of brain cells. This movie left me leaving the theatre in a happy, uplifting mood! It was light-hearted, sweet, and a real mood lifter.”
Another described it as an “uplifting” film that offered a “nice surprise”, and it appears the appeal stretches well beyond die-hard Beatles fans. One viewer noted: “If you love the Beatles, you will love this movie. If you don’t know who the Beatles are, you will learn and want to know more.”
Himesh Patel takes the lead role as the accomplished musician, supported by a stellar ensemble of British talent including Lily James, Joel Fry, and Kate McKinnon. The picture also boasts appearances from renowned musician Ed Sheeran and chat show host James Corden.
The impressive cast, coupled with the compelling storyline, propelled the film to a staggering worldwide gross of 154.6 million dollars against a modest production budget of just 26 million. It garnered widespread critical acclaim and an abundance of glowing five-star reviews from audiences.
One viewer described: “What a pleasant surprise. It’s a genuinely delightful, wholly original film supported by earnest performances from a talented young cast. One particular scene (the scene) will put tears in the eyes of the deepest cynic. A beautiful 2 hours well spent at the movies.”
For those keen to discover what Yesterday has to offer, the film is currently available to watch for free on BBC iPlayer and will be broadcast on BBC3 tonight at 11.20pm.
