Directed by:
Iain SoftleyScreenplay:
Michael ThomasCinematography:
Ian WilsonComposer:
Don WasCast:
Stephen Dorff, Sheryl Lee, Ian Hart, Gary Bakewell, Jennifer Ehle, Scot Williams, Kai Wiesinger, Chris O'Neill, James Doherty, Galit Hershkovitz (more)Plots(1)
In 1960, a group of five young English musicians travelled to Hamburg to join the lively local rock scene. They were The Beatles - John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Pete Best ... and John's best friend, Stuart Sutcliffe. Performing in seedy night clubs on the infamous Reeperbahn, they soon acquired a local reputation for their raw, energetic, irreverent style. One of the leading lights of Hamburg's artistic community, photographer Astrid Kirchnerr, is taken to hear The Beatles by her boyfriend and falls immediately for fthe one who looks like James Dean. Bass player Stuart Sutcliffe, himself a highly promising painter, is equally bowled over by Astrid. The two grow ever closer, linked by love and art, Astrid becoming the model for Stuart's paintings - he for her photographs. John, however, is consumed with envy as he sees his friend drifting away. As fame approaches for The Beatles, Stuart is forced to decide between his deep loyalty to John and his love for Astrid, between rock 'n' roll and art, Liverpool and Hamburg. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Reviews (1)
I had no idea that Lennon's great friend from painting school, Stuart Sutcliffe, was behind the birth of The Beatles. In addition to looking at the beginnings of the legendary band, the filmmakers focus mainly on Stuart's love affair with German photographer Astrid Kirchherr, for whom he eventually left the band to pursue painting, which he found more fulfilling than becoming a famous musician. The film is permeated through and through with rousing rock'n'roll, which made me enjoy the story of a life wasted in the prime of youth. (80%)
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