A world without The Beatles becomes a mind-boggling reality for small-time musician Jack in Yesterday - but is a quirky storyline with an unbeatable song list enough to make it a smash hit? 

 

Yesterday has been on the world's radar for a while now - putting Hey Jude back on our playlists and getting us all aflutter for this new movie featuring all sorts of musical genius. But this is no biopic and should not be compared to other recent releases - it's literally in a world of its own.

 

After a worldwide "event" and unfortunate accident, Jack (Himesh Patel) finds himself on some sort of alternate timeline where no one seems to know The Beatles and their many hits. Rewind a little to when we meet Jack, a struggling musician with originals only his long-time friend and manager, Ellie (Lily James), seems to love. His gigs are smaller-than-small and his fanbase barely even includes his mum and dad. That is, until Yesterday, Hey Jude, Let It Be and Strawberry Fields Forever become part of his set list.

 

Ed Sheeran makes more than just a cameo, popping up throughout the film with some slightly awkward acting, but saved by a fantastic script. Because how could it not be with the screenplay by Richard Curtis (Love Actually, About Time, Four Weddings and a Funeral) and story by Richard Curtis and Jack Barth.

 

Himesh Patel as Jack carries the film's flavour of funny so well, and Lily James as Ellie is pure sweetness and light while being completely believable. The casting in Yesterday is a real treat featuring Dominic Coleman, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Kate McKinnon and so many other gems. 

 

At its heart, Yesterday is a true rom-com - perhaps more that than some kind of homage to The Beatles. This may be a disappointment for some, especially on the back of other recent releases. However, take it on its own merit and it's a charming, funny and heart-warming film that could only have Richard Curtis behind it, doing what he does best.

 

A quirky storyline brought down to earth with comedy and unbeatable tunes by The Beatles, Yesterday is a whole lotta light-hearted fun.