In recent years, there have been quite a few great films made about
prominent musicians that provide introspective looks into their lives
and careers. The well received "Ray" and "Walk The Line" both
attempted to convey the essence of two of the most revered figures in
popular music while following a prototypical biographic structure. One
could imagine a similar film about John Lennon, spanning his early life
to his tenure with the Beatles and leading up to his last years and
tragic murder in NYC. Although, for such a complicated figure as John
Lennon this typical biopic would fail to please. Despite the quality of
this hypothetical film, an insidious melodramatic tone and climatic
murder scene would make even the casual Beatles fan cringe. With the
numerous and contradictory biographies written about Lennon it would
also be nearly impossible to unbiassedly portray the Beatle great .To
break from this mold and to offer a unique perspective into the
mythological figure John Lennon, Sam Taylor Wood's feature length debut
"Nowhere Boy" chose to focus instead on Lennon's formative years, where
his deep appreciation for rock n' roll blossomed amidst teen angst and
personal tragedy. Although the film's release timely coincides with what would have been Lennon's 70th birthday, there is a distance from this hype. While the film, based on Lennon's half sister Julia Baird's memoir is grounded in biography, there is more of an emphasis on the acute theme of self discovery, which is depicted through the young Lennon's experiences. In a aptly and appealing nature, the film entices the viewer to recognize how the young Lennon turned to music to deal with his broken home. His burgeoning anti establishment persona is revealed as John revolts against his studies and becomes enmeshed in Rock N' Roll music with the help of his mother. The drama dependent on the friction between Lennon's Aunt Mimi, his adopted guardian and his biological mother Julia, the namesake of the serene Beatles track, relates how these two contrasting figures shaped the man he would become.
In the role of Lennon is British newcomer Aaron Johnson who plays the young Lennon with a wry and demanding presence which is sharply enhanced by the ever wonderful Kristen Scott Thomas as his authoritative Aunt Mimi and Anne-Marie Duff as his free spirited mother. As John's mother aides and abets his immersion into Rock N' Roll, Aunt Mimi attempts to keep the young John in check but ultimately relents, recognizing his passion for and his talents with music. While the relationship with his mother at times seems a bit too Oedipal, her contributions are clear as day. His mother's house became a safe haven for John to listen to rock n' roll records, most notably Screaming Jay Hawkins "I Put A Spell On You" and she even taught him how to play the Banjo.
Along the way, John wavers between households as he reflects upon these two relationships and as details emerge surrounding his mother's devotion. In between the touching familial narrative, John buys his first guitar and starts a band with a few schoolmates. "The Quarymen" as they call themselves learn a few songs and start playing gigs haphazardly until "George" and "Paul" join the band, lending their talents. At this point the film interestingly reveals the roots of "The Beatles" as a bunch of schoolmates just trying to emulate their favorite rock n' rollers. Much emphasis is placed on the early relation between two of rock n' rolls most acclaimed song writing team, as Paul teaches John to play guitar and the two share and encourage each others song writing.
While the film may not be as "good" as Ray or Walk
The Line, I think the overarching themes resonate well and are relevant
to every moviegoer especially young artists. Amidst any personal turmoils, learning how to
play an instrument and starting a band or following any artistic interest for that matter is a positive creative outlet.
As the film espouses, music became John's life line and he was set on
becoming a musician from this tender age. Music would help John
through his greatest tragedy, his mother's death and the band he just
so happened to start with his friends would ultimately become
unarguably the greatest band that's ever existed. NOWHERE BOY TRAILER
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