Grade: B+

“In My Life,” I have been a huge fan of music.  While getting ready for school, I would always listen to K-EARTH 101.   For those not in Los Angeles, K-EARTH 101 was and is THE oldies station of choice.  The morning DJ would put on classic tunes from artists spanning the 50s and 60s. I would often wake up to the sounds of Chuck Berry, The Beach Boys, and especially The Beatles.  While K-EARTH had a pretty decent variety in their rotation of songs, they were pretty Beatles heavy and that helped me explore the vast Lennon-McCartney catalogue of music. Soon enough I was probably listening to cassettes of the iconic albums such as “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” and “Magical Mystery Tour.”  I was hooked on the genius of Sir Paul McCartney. Later on in my life, I found out just how big of a deal the “British Invasion” was around the world. Because of the massive global impact of the Beatles, it can sometimes make you think what the world would be like if they never existed.  

In the newest “musical” movie of the summer, “Yesterday,” struggling artist Jack Malik (played by Himesh Patel) wakes up from a bike accident to a world where nobody remembers The Beatles.  Since his own song “Summer Song” doesn’t exactly scream smash hit, Jack decides to take advantage of the worldly miracle. Jack starts to “write,” and eventually market, the Beatles’ songs again as if they were his own work.  This decision kicks Jack’s career into the stratosphere and suddenly the demand for Jack’s new “work” is in high demand around the world. Jack gets caught up with the intoxication of fame. He is brought back to reality through his relationship with his childhood friend Ellie Appleton (played by Lily James).  

“Yesterday” has a fantasy plot within a real setting.  The plot holes are about as big as the size of the pond between the U.S. and England, but if you forgive the movie for it, you will have an excellent time.  

I don’t want to spoil any of the Beatles Easter eggs within the movie, but if you’re a true Beatles fan, “Yesterday” is a treasure trove.   So many great Beatles songs serenade you through the hour and fifty six minute comedy. You will hear wonderfully re-imagined classics such as “Something,” “Let it Be,” “Hey Jude,” and obviously “Yesterday.”  With the help of Ed Sheeran (himself) and manager Debra Hammer (played by Kate McKinnon), you will be laughing the majority of the way! Sheeran is so good he almost steals the show! “Yesterday” naturally does have some heartfelt moments woven in because of the relationship between Jack and Ellie.  Just a fair warning, due to the beautiful music, you might even find yourself getting a little misty eyed.  

“Yesterday” is quite a perfect movie for any Beatlemaniac and even if you’re not a Beatle fan (what’s wrong with you?!?!) you will enjoy it as well.  It will make you laugh, cry, think and just simply rock out as you enjoy a good chunk of the Lennon-McCartney songbook. There are so many Beatle surprises within “Yesterday” (that I will not ruin) that are just waiting to be discovered and I really want to see it a second time to make sure I catch them all.  

Grab your closest Beatle loving friends, “Help!” them go down “The Long and Winding Road” and rush to the theaters to see “Yesterday.”  After “A Hard Day’s Night,” it is a great way to spend a day at the movies!