Across the Universe Soundtrack
NEIRAD enilno edition
The Beatles were, and will always be considered the greatest band of all time. They have sold over one billion albums worldwide, and continue to have an overwhelming effect on present generations. Proof of their hold over American minds can be gleaned in the Across the Universe soundtrack.”
The movie takes place in the middle of the Vietnam War, during the 1960s, in an era of a rising desire to protest for peace. The movie incorporates 30 Beatles’ songs that are woven into the story of six characters. Each song is masterfully worked into the plot, which helps to develop an enchanting story of peace and love between the six entwined characters.
Actor Jim Sturgess, who plays Jude, does a commendable job of belting out the Beatles. Doing so is not such an easy task: many have tried; many have failed. Being able to sing “You say want to revolution!” like Paul McCartney is a big challenge, but Jim Sturgess sings it with equal or even more conviction than McCartney. When Sturgess’ sings, the audience believes him, which is exactly the way these songs were meant to be sung; the audience feels the emotion that Sturgess is trying to convey.
Accompanying Sturgess is “Thirteen” star, Evan Rachel Wood. She is the one knock on the album. I don’t know how they let Wood slip into this cast, but it definitely detracted from the overall quality. Wood’s voice is too recycled and it sounds like she is trying too hard. There is very little conviction when Wood sings songs like “If I fell”. When she sings, “I must be sure from the very start that you would love me more than her” I have a hard time thinking Wood isn’t struggling to sing opera.
Across the Universe includes long-time rock veteran Dana Fuchs in a supporting musical role. For those not familiar with Fuchs, this singer belts out a typical scratchy rock n’ roll sound. Yes, Fuchs is relatively generic, but yet adds much depth to the album. Fuchs teams up with guitarist Martin Luther. Combined, they both bring elements of modern rock into the flick. When they sing “Don’t let me Down,” their version is heavier rock than the original Beatles tune. It gives it an interesting twist, in a very good way.
The movie’s version of “I Want to Hold your Hand” sung by Prudence (T.V. Carpio) is much slower than the Beatles variation but Carpio’s vocals are highly impressive. By singing in different tones, the version in Across the Universe expresses Prudence’s longing for love whereas the Beatles sing the song as if they are simply pronouncing their love. This difference in tone brings a new spin to this classic song.
Overall, the cast of Across the Universe does an exceptional job of covering the Beatles. They were given perhaps, the hardest task for a musician to do in modern- day music, but they took on the task in a classy way. This soundtrack is by far one of the best Beatles covers made in the universe.
