Across the Universe

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Across the Universe

PG-13

Released Sep 21, 2007

2h 11m

Musical

Romance

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Popcornmeter

53%

Tomatometer

176 Reviews

82%

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250,000+ Ratings

The songs of the Beatles provide the sonic framework for this musical tale of romance, war and peace. When young British worker Jude (Jim Sturgess) sets sail for the United States in search of his father, he ends up meeting carefree college student Max (Joe Anderson) and his lovely sister, Lucy (Evan Rachel Wood), along with a cast of eccentric characters. As Jude and Lucy fall for each other, their relationship is threatened by the social upheaval that accompanies the Vietnam War.

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Critics Consensus

Psychedelic musical numbers can't mask Across the Universe's clichéd love story and thinly written characters.

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Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

The Beatles already survived one attempt by Hollywood to turn them into kitsch -- 1978's infamous Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band -- and so you have to wonder what they did to deserve Across the Universe.

Rated: C-

Sep 7, 2011

Full Review

Sandra Hall

Sydney Morning Herald

It's more than a nostalgia trip. The real pleasure lies in Taymor's ability to make it all seem brand new.

Rated: 4/5

Nov 2, 2007

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Jonathan F. Richards

Film.com

...the long and winding road that is Julie Taymor's opulent, eye-filling, and disappointingly uninvolving musical extravaganza...

Oct 19, 2007

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Cinemanía Staff

Cinemanía (Spain)

It didn't have to be like that. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 2/5

Oct 16, 2020

Full Review

Leigh Monson

Substream Magazine

Across the Universe proves to be a strikingly relevant experience...

Oct 1, 2020

Full Review

Jordi Costa

El Pais (Spain)

Imagine that an eminence of creative surgery kidnapped the love of his life to return it transformed into an exact replica of what they hate most. [Full Review in Spanish]

Mar 28, 2019

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Topher S

Excellent musical inspired by The Beatles lyrics. Phenomenal cast, soundtrack and cinematography.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/25/25

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Ryan C

This movie takes risks and creative direction that few films do. It reminds me tremendously of the wall by pink Floyd. Very abstract but combines all forms of art seamlessly, music, drawing, dance, visual effects you name it its here. Good acting and a good cast. The middle is a bit dull but with a strong start and strong finish its easily a 4 out of 5 for me. A rewatchable and impactful film forsure.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/24/25

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Alex D

Perhaps the worst movie I've ever watched.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

11/29/24

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Terry S

Julie Taymor outdid herself in this one--The music and the overall themes make it worth watching more than once.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/10/24

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Roberto S

As a massive Beatles fan, it was so hard to sit up to this cringe-fest I stopped watching it after half an hour or so.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

07/19/24

Full Review

audrey

Love the Beatles, so this is one of my favorite movies. Psychedelic vibes, artistic, and good music.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/19/24

Full Review

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Julie Taymor

Director

Evan Rachel Wood

Lucy

Jim Sturgess

Jude

Joe Anderson

Max Carrigan

Dana Fuchs

Sadie

Martin Luther McCoy

Jo-Jo

Nine

39%

37%

Nine

Watchlist

Anything but Love

35%

69%

Anything but Love

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Song One

34%

29%

Song One

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Absolute Beginners

70%

38%

Absolute Beginners

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Satisfaction

40%

53%

Satisfaction

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Synopsis

The songs of the Beatles provide the sonic framework for this musical tale of romance, war and peace. When young British worker Jude (Jim Sturgess) sets sail for the United States in search of his father, he ends up meeting carefree college student Max (Joe Anderson) and his lovely sister, Lucy (Evan Rachel Wood), along with a cast of eccentric characters. As Jude and Lucy fall for each other, their relationship is threatened by the social upheaval that accompanies the Vietnam War.

Director: Julie Taymor
Producer: Matthew Gross, Jennifer Todd, Suzanne Todd
Screenwriter: Dick Clement, Ian La Frenais
Distributor: Sony Pictures Entertainment
Production Co: Revolution Studios
Rating: PG-13 (Nudity|Language|Sexuality|Some Drug Content|Violence)
Genre: Musical, Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 21, 2007, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $24.3M
Runtime: 2h 11m

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