Yesterday
- 2019 film
Comedy about a struggling musician who, after a global blackout, finds he is the only person to remember The Beatles. Also features Himesh Patel, Lily James, Joel Fry, Kate McKinnon, Sanjeev Bhaskar and more.
Streaming rank this week: 680
Press clippings Page 3
Revolving around a failed musician (Himesh Patel) who awakens from a coma and realises he's the only person who knows who the Beatles are, the Danny Boyle directed, Richard Curtis scripted Yesterday squanders a promising premise by using it in service of a reactionary romcom about a bumbling guy learning to appreciate the beautiful best friend (Lily James) who's spent her entire adult life quietly pining for him. The Beatles back-catalogue gets an extensive airing, and Patel's good at performing the songs. But a few Boyle-inflected flourishes aside that hint and something deeper, this is pretty banal stuff. Ed Sheeran has an extended cameo as himself; his best joke involves "improving" the lyrics to a certain classic - a gag that was done better by Nicholas Cage in Peggy Sue Got Married, which says it all, really.
Alistair Harkness, The Scotsman, 27th June 2019Yesterday review
A movie that starts out by turning the whole world upside down, ultimately coasts down a long and winding road to a pat happy ending.
André Hereford, Metro Weekly, 27th June 2019Yesterday review
From the downgrading of beautiful music, to a wooden Ed Sheeran, Yesterday is simple without being charming.
Ryan Gilbey, The New Statesman, 27th June 2019Yesterday review
Danny Boyle and Richard Curtis deliver an irresistible magical mystery tour.
Adam Sweeting, The Arts Desk, 27th June 2019Yesterday review
I'm sure the filmmakers have a good reason for taking the easy way out, but Yesterday is more of a novelty earworm than a classic.
A.O. Scott, The New York Times, 27th June 2019Yesterday is missing that 'twist and shout' factor
I wasn't sufficiently invested in Jack any time at all to make me root for him on his magical mystery tour to secondhand fame and fortune.
Damon Smith, The Irish News, 26th June 2019Review: Yesterday
The absence of The Beatles is the premise of this mixed movie.
Nigel Andrews, The Financial Times, 26th June 2019Yesterday review
Danny Boyle's Yesterday is a romantic comedy with a rubber soul.
Jake Cole, Slant Magazine, 26th June 2019Danny Boyle: Ed Sheeran wasn't my first choice
Danny Boyle didn't want to cast Ed Sheeran in Yesterday at first, as he admits he initially wanted Coldplay's Chris Martin for the role.
Female First, 25th June 2019Danny Boyle on Yesterday
Oscar-winning director discusses his latest film, in which the world forgets about the Beatles.
Eddie Harrison, The List, 25th June 2019