Across The Universe - Essay Example

Across The Universe “Across the universe”, is a superb film, which is stunning as it is. The film opens up vistas of imagination in a way that rock and roll, and the youths have been known to do, a film that tickles a nerve for people willing to let genuine emotion and aesthetics sweep them. A good question that the film poses to the viewer is in the area of music; does the music used in the film help, in the achievement of the film’s goals? This paper looks at the kind of music found in this film and the effect that this music has over the final success of the film. The film is a story of the 1960’s revolution and has been set to a tune of songs that defined that era. The film is brilliant for its daringness and like the war of Vietnam; the film does not quite stop in the achievement of its goals. It reaches something more powerful in the quest for success. The music that is used in the first part of the film fits well with the story, from a fantastic dancing number, to Lucy when she is gently musing on the potential romance with Jude through singing. At the end of the film, the song morphs into a dance that can be said to be seductive between Jojo and Sadie. This is a brilliant balance of the inherent romance and the song’s darkness (Taymor 1). At the start, of the film, the music that has been used binds well with the situation and what is taking place in the film. Through this, the film highly captures the viewer’s attention. Some may argue that when watching the film, only the actors and the screenplay matter; however, this is not true as proved by this film. Films have to match the message with the background music played to maintain the viewer’s attention and show progress in the movie. A song can also be used to introduce a new theme or emphasize on a current them is a film (Taymor 1). Halfway through this film, the musical numbers get more visually splendid and weirder and the story seems to lose its way. This one effect is attributed to wrong choice of song. The film writer has to ensure that the theme of the song coincides with the theme that the film is trying to advocate for, if the theme of the song does not correspond with the film’s theme, then the film will lose its way and will not achieve the required goal (Taymor 1). In the film, the actors use songs to emphasize on the feelings that they are portraying especially the main casts. At some point when Sadie tells the rest of the band that Lucy is planning on going solo, Jojo intentionally spoils Lucy’s’ opening song. With her song spoiled, she is forced to leave the stage. Jojo used Lucy’s song to express what he felt; he did not want her to leave because they needed each other (Taymor 1). In addition, songs are used, in this play, to express ones feelings towards something or someone. Lucy whose involvement in the anti-war group has increased walks towards the headquarter while singing the song ‘revolution’. Jude, after being left by Lucy, the song ‘while my guitar gently weeps’ plays at the background. The same day that Lucy has packed her belongings and left him, he goes to the subway and the song ‘Across the Universe’ plays, and he goes to where Lucy and the anti-war groups are located. All these incidents show that for everything taking place a certain song is played along. The songs bring out the inner feeling of the message conveyed to the audience (Taymor 1). In the film, songs are used in keeping the viewer more interested and to develop an attachment, especially an emotional connection. Like the music, used at the first part, it fits so well because it is ‘Hold Me Tight’ playing, and the audience is brought to a flashback; a prom scene where two lovers and their high school mates are dancing. Then the lady “Lucy” sings ‘Tell me am the only one…’ Coincidentally, somewhere else in the world, a couple is dancing to the same song. It is at such scenes, when the viewer and the audience all feel the musical sound tracks and the actions of the actors. It is at that time, when one feels emotionally attached to the movie itself (Taymor 1). The theme of romance is also brought out in the film when Lucy is walking home and talking of how she misses her boyfriend Daniel. Coincidentally when she gets home, she finds a letter from Daniel saying that he managed to get a few weeks leave. She then starts singing the song ‘It won’t Be Long’ with excitement. Also at the end of the film, Lucy invited by Max to a concert, goes to the buzzer and sees Jude with a strawberry logo made for Sadie, she starts having old memories of her and Jude. Since the heartbreak was painful, she felt it, and she walks away hurriedly. Jude, alone on the roof starts singing ‘All You Need Is Love’ and the rest of the band rush back and joins in at the roof. The police do not allow Lucy, so she goes to the other, opposite building. There, Jude catches Lucy’s eyes, staring at each other, Jude smiles of happiness and Lucy has tears running. At the end, they kiss as “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” plays. It is at these scenes where romance is felt, and it is due to the combination of songs and actions that the feelings come out so well (Taymor 1). This film clearly shows the effect that songs have on films, when a song is chosen to share the same theme as the film then the film will be captivating and will flow as the music. However, if the songs that are chosen for the film do not rhyme with the then of the film, this will be disastrous to the success of the film because it will probably disinterest the viewers. In the film, songs are used to introduce the theme of love, which is a commonly witnessed theme, and it is evident between the two main characters; songs are also used to emphasize on a given theme. In this film, the theme of romance is introduced through songs, and the same songs are used to keep this theme alive in the film. Works cited Taymor, J. (Director). (2007). ACROSS THE UNIVERSE. [Motion Picture]. Film. Electronic. Read More