MOVIE REVIEW ...
NOWHERE BOY
One of John Lennon's most popular works was his greatest hits album 'Lennon Legend'. Like its title, his status was such that the realities of his life have given way to an almost mythical version of his career. Whilst he has been the subject of several biographies, rarely have they focussed on the genesis of his outlook. Nowhere Boy gamely attempts to uncover some of the emotions driving the boy who would become a reluctant idol to millions.
Living with his aunt Mimi (Kristen Scott Thomas) from a young age, John Lennon (Aaron Johnson) seeks answers on his parental background. This suddenly arrives when his mother Julia (Anne Marie Duff) re-enters his life. Revealed to be Mimi's sister, Julia's carefree ways versus her elder sister's straight laced approach finds John in an emotional bind. Using music as an escape, his formation of The Beatles and his tangled relationships would set an unexpected path for the future world-wide superstar.
Biographies are usually a dangerous genre as the truth becomes swept aside for the sake of dramatising events. Whilst Nowhere Boy walks this line, it's better than most due to a focussed screenplay and strong acting. With actresses of the calibre of Thomas and Duff, it's not difficult to see how women formed a large part in Lennon's early and latter attitude. Although Nowhere Boy can only speculate on how this affected him, his friendship with Paul McCartney and the rest of the group is interesting in how he found some male peers to offset the dominance of these two women.
Directed by first timer Sam Taylor-Wood, Nowhere Boy reasonably captures the essence of the times well. Although occasionally descending into pure cliché with its early 60's idioms, it thankfully doesn't indulge too much in lazily showing endless concert scenes to pad out the running time. As Lennon, Johnson equips himself well in the musical sequences although perhaps less so in the more dramatic scenes where he unfortunately becomes overshadowed by the other leads. But there is generally much to maintain interest and it rises above other biographies due to the conviction of the performances.
Nowhere Boy is a good exploration of Lennon's early years, with his lost soul finding some purpose despite his troubled youth. Less superficial than other biographies, the script's depth adds to a better understanding of a perceived legend refusing to fade.
Movie Review Rating 7 / 10
Movie Review by Patrick Moore
NOWHERE BOY released in Australia on Thursday 26th December2009.
If you have any comments to make about this Movie Review, then please use the comment box, titling your comments with Movie Review NOWHERE BOY
Patrick Moore's Movie Review is an alternative look at current movie releases in Australia.
Official HomePage click HERE
Biographies are usually a dangerous genre as the truth becomes swept aside for the sake of dramatising events. Whilst Nowhere Boy walks this line, it's better than most due to a focussed screenplay and strong acting. With actresses of the calibre of Thomas and Duff, it's not difficult to see how women formed a large part in Lennon's early and latter attitude. Although Nowhere Boy can only speculate on how this affected him, his friendship with Paul McCartney and the rest of the group is interesting in how he found some male peers to offset the dominance of these two women.
Directed by first timer Sam Taylor-Wood, Nowhere Boy reasonably captures the essence of the times well. Although occasionally descending into pure cliché with its early 60's idioms, it thankfully doesn't indulge too much in lazily showing endless concert scenes to pad out the running time. As Lennon, Johnson equips himself well in the musical sequences although perhaps less so in the more dramatic scenes where he unfortunately becomes overshadowed by the other leads. But there is generally much to maintain interest and it rises above other biographies due to the conviction of the performances.
Nowhere Boy is a good exploration of Lennon's early years, with his lost soul finding some purpose despite his troubled youth. Less superficial than other biographies, the script's depth adds to a better understanding of a perceived legend refusing to fade.
Movie Review Rating 7 / 10
Movie Review by Patrick Moore
NOWHERE BOY released in Australia on Thursday 26th December2009.
If you have any comments to make about this Movie Review, then please use the comment box, titling your comments with Movie Review NOWHERE BOY
Patrick Moore's Movie Review is an alternative look at current movie releases in Australia.
Official HomePage click HERE
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