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United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital 5.1 ), English ( Subtitles ), WIDESCREEN (2.35:1), SPECIAL FEATURES: Anamorphic Widescreen, Cast/Crew Interview(s), Commentary, Deleted Scenes, Featurette, Interactive Menu, Making Of, Scene Access, SYNOPSIS: The true story of John Lennon's troubled childhood and difficult relationship with his family is brought to the screen in this period drama. Young John (Alex Ambrose) is a bright but sharp-tongued boy living in the coastal town of Liverpool during the 1950s with his aunt Mimi (Kristin Scott Thomas) and uncle George (David Threlfall). John's father walked out on the family when he was four years old, and the boy was given to Mimi to raise, even though his mother, Julia (Anne-Marie Duff), was still alive. While Mimi's straight-laced nature runs counter to John's more reckless personality, they clearly love one another and the household is thrown into chaos when George dies suddenly. At the funeral, teenage John (now played by Aaron Johnson) sees Julia, and learns to his surprise that she lives only a few blocks away from Mimi. John pays her a visit, and Julia gratefully welcomes him back into her life. Julia's personality is a much closer fit to John than Mimi, and she encourages his love for writing and music, teaching him to play the banjo. However, John's renewed relationship with Julia brings up a number of unanswered questions, and causes new tensions between Mimi and John. And as rock & roll becomes the hot new sound of the day, John falls in love with the bold new music and makes a friend who is interested in forming a band, Paul (Thomas Brodie Sangster). The first feature film from artist-turned-director Sam Taylor-Wood, Nowhere Boy was the closing night attraction at the 2009 BFI London Film Festival. SCREENED/AWARDED AT: BAFTA Awards, British Independent Film Awards, ...Nowhere Boy (2009)
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17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray
Sam Taylor-Wood's feature directorial debut, 'Nowhere Boy', takes its inspiration from John Lennon's teenage years. The soon-to-be Beatle had an unconventional upbringing, being raised by his Aunt Mimi when his mother Julia proved unable to cope with looking after him as her relationship with Lennon's father fell apart. The film picks up the story when the teenage Lennon renews his relationship with his mother, and begins to develop his musical leanings, forming the Quarrymen and setting out on the path to being part of one of the icons of the 20th century.
The film is pretty much perfectly cast - Kristin Scott Thomas and Anne-Marie Duff are wonderful as sisters Mimi and Julia, one very austere and outwardly frosty, the other more flighty and fun but deeply troubled beneath the surface. Meanwhile, relative newcomer Aaron Johnson captures the spirit and swagger of Lennon perfectly without ever feeling like he's attempting an impersonation, and does an excellent job of carrying the film. Equally good is Thomas Sangster as Paul McCartney, who gives a great performance but perhaps doesn't quite convince in the same way as his co-star.
Films such as these have their pitfalls - for instance, it would be easy to simply provide a checklist of important moments in Lennon's life, and little else. Whilst the film doesn't shy away from detailing these iconic moments, the focus is very much on the relationship between John, Mimi and Julia, and is all the stronger for it. As such, it slightly rewrites a few details for the sake of coherence, but none of these stick out as a problem, and usually serve the narrative well. Although the period detail and Taylor-Wood's confident direction makes this an excellent film, it's the performances and characters that really make it something special. Whether you're a die-hard Beatles fan, or someone who knows nothing about them, you can still enjoy this film - and I suspect you will.
The film is pretty much perfectly cast - Kristin Scott Thomas and Anne-Marie Duff are wonderful as sisters Mimi and Julia, one very austere and outwardly frosty, the other more flighty and fun but deeply troubled beneath the surface. Meanwhile, relative newcomer Aaron Johnson captures the spirit and swagger of Lennon perfectly without ever feeling like he's attempting an impersonation, and does an excellent job of carrying the film. Equally good is Thomas Sangster as Paul McCartney, who gives a great performance but perhaps doesn't quite convince in the same way as his co-star.
Films such as these have their pitfalls - for instance, it would be easy to simply provide a checklist of important moments in Lennon's life, and little else. Whilst the film doesn't shy away from detailing these iconic moments, the focus is very much on the relationship between John, Mimi and Julia, and is all the stronger for it. As such, it slightly rewrites a few details for the sake of coherence, but none of these stick out as a problem, and usually serve the narrative well. Although the period detail and Taylor-Wood's confident direction makes this an excellent film, it's the performances and characters that really make it something special. Whether you're a die-hard Beatles fan, or someone who knows nothing about them, you can still enjoy this film - and I suspect you will.
27 of 28 people found the following review helpful
I went to see this last night and thought it the best film I've seen in a while.
Yes, it's surprising that Taylor-Wood went for a fairly conventional approach instead of something more avant-garde (and possibly pretentious), but I'd glad she did as the resulting film is a gem. I don't agree with Robert Machin's comment that this film was "ordinary"--I found it intensely powerful and moving. It's this emotional heart which lifts the film above the average and marks Taylor-Wood as a director to watch out for.
Every performance was excellent with Duff and Scott-Thomas outstandingly good. Matt Greenhalgh's scripting was perfectly balanced and never once lapsed into melodrama (although perhaps it very nearly teetered on the edge once).
Well worth a trip to the cinema.
Yes, it's surprising that Taylor-Wood went for a fairly conventional approach instead of something more avant-garde (and possibly pretentious), but I'd glad she did as the resulting film is a gem. I don't agree with Robert Machin's comment that this film was "ordinary"--I found it intensely powerful and moving. It's this emotional heart which lifts the film above the average and marks Taylor-Wood as a director to watch out for.
Every performance was excellent with Duff and Scott-Thomas outstandingly good. Matt Greenhalgh's scripting was perfectly balanced and never once lapsed into melodrama (although perhaps it very nearly teetered on the edge once).
Well worth a trip to the cinema.
40 of 43 people found the following review helpful
I didn't know what to expect when I went to see this film, as so many films that portray people still within in living memory, fail to suspend belief in the character long enough for me to thoroughly get into the film. But I was pleasantly surprised, the sets captured (how I imagined) the ambience of the fifties, the acting was of very high standard and as believable as is possible, and the script was fantastic, adding detail to the film. Me and my friend went together and I am a fan of the Beatles but she doesn't particularly like them. I knew what was going to happen but, as the film was understated, it still took me by surprise, and my friend thoroughly enjoyed the film, knowing almost nothing about the Beatles early years. The Beatles story has become a modern myth, which this film adds to but from which it is very hard to distinguish fact or fiction, so I wouldn't want to judge anyone on the basis of the movie. Overall, whether you are a fan of The Beatles or John Lennon or have no opinion on them whatsoever, the film is entertaining and moving in its own right 5*.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Fab, fab, fab!!
Didn't know about this film until I returned from Liverpool after visiting Lennon's childhood home & was told about it. Read more
Published 26 days ago by sarahpater
Nowhere Boy
**Spoilers!**
I can't help but feel this film was a little bit of a wasted opportunity. There is so much from John's early, pre-Beatlemania days that could have been... Read more
I can't help but feel this film was a little bit of a wasted opportunity. There is so much from John's early, pre-Beatlemania days that could have been... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Miss O'Dell
Blu Review 52 - Nowhere Boy
Nowhere Boy Blu-ray Review
Distributor: Icon Home Entertainment (UK)
Taking one of the most influential music legends of all time and turning his troubled... Read more
Distributor: Icon Home Entertainment (UK)
Taking one of the most influential music legends of all time and turning his troubled... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Sam Tyler
Nowhere boy
This was a very good DVD at a very good price. It was a Christmas present and my mum and dad have watched it already and really enjoyed it.
Published 5 months ago by JemJEJemscott
Simply Fantastic!
Well I watched the film and I thought it was brilliant! However, at first I did not know much about john lennon but this film really grabbed me! Read more
Published 5 months ago by Josh
Well received present
Having seen this film, I have bought this dvd several times to give as a present. All recipients have been pleased and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Published 6 months ago by Polly
The Beatles beat all!
I saw some reviews for "Nowhere Boy" and was intrigued to see what it was about. Watched the film and was very impressed! Read more
Published 6 months ago by Lucylovesthebeatles
"Why couldn't God make me Elvis?"
As a teenager I idolised John Lennon to the point of obsession, I devoured every biography and bought dozens of cheap VHS documentaries - but Nowhere Boy is a refreshing look at... Read more
Published 8 months ago by GeekZilla
overrated bobbins!
Am I missing something? I've just seen this and was surprised at how bad it was given the rave reviews. Read more
Published 10 months ago by jimg
A victim of bad distributional timing!
I think that this film is a victim of bad distributional timing! It is very well acted and the subject matter must surely be of interest to a potentially wide audience? Read more
Published 12 months ago by Nigel Mc
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