B/-\CKBE@T 1 1994

A Beatles biopic capturing the band as they hone their skills in seedy 1960s Hamburg. Fame beckons, but the focus is on tragic fifth member Stuart Sutcliffe and his friendship with John Lennon
Before they were the fab four, The Beatles were the almost-famous five, and though the band's first bassist Stuart Sutcliffe (Dorff) died of a brain haemorrhage in 1962, his James Dean style and rebel artist spirit were significant factors in the band's evolution. Here, director Softley (K-PAX) reconstructs the group's Reeperbahn period and not only is the result a great-looking (and sounding) rock 'n' roll film, it's also an intriguing examination of the strange attraction that bound John Lennon (Hart) and Sutcliffe.

Having joined the band at Lennon's insistence, Sutcliffe never claimed to be much of a musician and by the time the band get to Hamburg he's more interested in pursuing a career as a painter. Photographer girlfriend Astrid Kirchherr (Lee) encourages this, but Lennon has his eye on her as well - partly through desire and partly through envy at her influence over Sutcliffe.

All the cast give credible performances. Hart (who'd already portrayed a young Lennon in 1991's The Hours And Times) captures much of the man's confidence and acerbic wit. Dorff's Sutcliffe is moody but cool - everything Lennon wanted to be - and the film is driven by a charged soundtrack performed by a host of 1990s grungers, among them Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore and Nirvana/Foo Fighters player Dave Grohl.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• FILM

[Mnz131]

I feel like this movie is seriously inaccurate. I really dont think stuart was that type of guy since I saw a documentary about him (Stuart The lost Beatle). He was described as a very sensitive, quite and poetic man. All this sex in the movie, I dont think he's done that. They made him look so desperate and like a looser in the band. Sorry but I dont give too much credit to this movie.

[swimwin]

This is a beautiful movie. I don't care if it's dead accurate about every detail because the movie itself is a work of art. I love the complexity of the relationships, reflecting the reality of being human.

The scenes in the lighthouse and on the beach are especially beautiful.

Thanks for uploading this!

[Triplesod]

Where is the actor playing Stuart from? His Scouse accent is way off. Pronouncing all his T's??

Lennon's actor is good.

[artsyfartsyme]

The idea of this movie was good, but there's a little too much fiction in it. They should have showed the truth instead of putting so much B.S. in it. I hate when they twist things for entertainment purposes.

[ArmaniObsessedDude76]

That Scouse accident is fantastic!! it's personal British favorite!

[99lennon]

God stephen dorf is hot in this movie....