Yesterday is pure cinematic fluff with a lightning-bolt of an idea. In moments, those substance-less joys earn their cuteness. But, as with writer Richard Curtis's other films (About Time), there's a unique ethical question underscoring the surface: what rights does an artist have over a creation they didn't create? Should we be honest about "reality" when that reality isn't reality? Confused? Don't worry; that complexity is all but completely brushed under the rug here, opting instead for cheap explanations and corny romance.
Because of unimportant and uninteresting reasons, an aspiring musician (Patel) discovers he is the only person in the world who remembers The Beatles. Patel is great in the lead; with impeccable timing and effortless charm, he manages to steal all these classic songs without losing our sympathy. He's supported by a handful of genuinely funny and sweet moments: jokes at the expense of Oasis and Ed Sheeran, the reveals of other erased cultural touchstones (Coca-Cola, Harry Potter, etc), even a surprisingly moving reveal of others who remember the past. Unfortunately, the story doesn't do much to help. Lazy storytelling shortcuts are taken at every turn, making a fantastical concept even more difficult to believe.
Curtis is usually quite adept with this type of rom-dramedy, but he's not at the helm here. Boyle is, and he's known for his hyper-stylized direction, which proves problematic. Where he spends time working on montages of ridiculous metaphorical storytelling devices, he should be fleshing out character motivations and ethical conundrums. Yesterday makes me glad we live in a reality with The Beatles, so we can ignore this movie and stay home to listen to Abbey Road.
Review of Yesterday
