Watch Yesterday

Yesterday is a 2019 romantic-comedy film directed by Danny Boyle and written by Richard Curtis. The film follows Jack Malik, a struggling musician from Lowestoft who wakes up after a mysterious global blackout to find that nobody in the world except him remembers The Beatles. Inspired by this alternate reality, Jack begins to pass off their music as his own, rising to fame while grappling with his own feelings for childhood friend Ellie.

The film opens with Jack playing a gig in front of a nearly empty pub. After another disappointing performance, Jack decides to give up his dreams of becoming a musician until a sudden global blackout takes place. When Jack awakens from the blackout, he discovers that nobody else remembers famous songs or bands from the past: no one has heard of The Beatles, Oasis, or even Coca-Cola. Jack slowly realizes that he is the only one in the world who still remembers these cultural touchstones.

Jack begins to sing The Beatles' songs, astonished that people respond so positively to them. Jack soon attracts the attention of Ed Sheeran, portrayed by the real Ed Sheeran himself. Impressed by Jack's music, Ed invites Jack to tour with him, bringing Jack on international stadiums and elevating his fame.

As Jack grows more popular, he begins to lose sight of himself and his own artistic vision. His relationship with Ellie becomes strained as she struggles with her own feelings for Jack and her past as an elementary school teacher. Jack must navigate the complex world of fame and personal relationships as he decides whether to come clean about his deception or continue to live a lie.

Himesh Patel delivers a heartfelt performance as Jack, showcasing his comedic timing and musical talents. Lily James shines as Ellie, who provides a grounded and nuanced performance as Jack's longtime friend and confidante. Relative newcomer Sophia Di Martino also delivers a standout performance as Carol, Jack's unrequited love interest and manager.

Boyle's direction is visually and musically striking, showcasing the international locations that Jack visits while touring with Ed Sheeran. Special attention is given to The Beatles' iconic music, with the film's soundtrack featuring covers by Patel and Sheeran. The film's story is well-paced, blending humor, romance, and drama in a way that feels both fresh and nostalgic.

Overall, Yesterday is a charming and engaging romantic-comedy that offers a unique premise and an enjoyable soundtrack. Its themes of fame, friendship, and personal integrity are relevant to audiences of all ages, making it a film that can be enjoyed by music fans and non-music fans alike.

Yesterday is a 2019 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 56 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8 and a MetaScore of 55.