On Monday night, June 24, AMC Theatre Lincoln Center hosted the advanced screening of the new summer movie hit Yesterday. Among arriving at the venue, theatergoers checked in and received a raffle red ticket for entry. The theatre was crowded and buzzing with excitement for this new light crowd pleaser and as the lights dimmed, there was a communal “SHHHHHH!” humming from the crowd.
The British jukebox musical fantasy film was directed by Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, Slumdog Millionaire, Steve Jobs) and written by Richard Curtis (Bridget Jones Diary, Four Weddings, and a Funeral, Notting Hill).
The movie stars Himesh Patel as Jack Malik, a singer-songwriter who, after a worldwide power outage and a bus accident, finds himself the only person who remembers The Beatles and takes credit for their songs. Other notable presences include Lilly James as childhood friend Ellie, Ed Sheeran as Ed Sheeran, Kate McKinnon as a hilariously honest label representative, and James Corden as his charming self.
(from left) Ellie (Lily James, back to camera) and Jack Malik (Himesh Patel) in “Yesterday,” directed by Danny Boyle.
As the soundtrack mainly consisted of new versions of The Beatles’ most revered hits, performed by the film’s star himself, Hamish Patel was stellar. The Yesterday Original Motion Picture Soundtrack will be released by Capitol Records, the same record label The Beatles’ using in the US and where many of the songs were recorded specifically for the album. The album producer is no other than noteworthy Daniel Pemberton, a two-time Golden Globe nominated composer.
The album itself features Patel’s take on Beatles’ favorites, such as, ‘Yesterday,’ ‘Here Comes The Sun,’ ’A Hard Day’s Night,’ ‘Let It Be,’ ‘Hey Jude,’ ’All You Need Is Love,’ ‘I Want To Hold Your Hand,’ among others. Pemberton has created a soundtrack that not only reflects the atmosphere of the film but also stands as a nostalgic force that begs to be enjoyed from beginning to end. It seems that Beatlemania has emerged once again.