Across the Universe (PG-13, 2007)

common sense media says

Beatles musical hits strong notes amid sex, drugs.


parents & educators say
  • 26% say there's too much drinking, drugs, or smoking

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that although there's much to like about this Beatles-inspired musical -- it's visionary, it introduces young audiences to iconic songs, and it addresses important social issues -- some of the content is iffy for teens. Characters drink and take drugs without any negative consequences, and there are a few nude scenes (though they're artfully staged and echo the deep love between main characters Lucy and Jude). Still, teens are likely to relate to the film's powerful messages about the importance of friendships and the need to question authority when lives are at stake.

Positive messages: Characters plot ways to dodge the draft, sneak into the country illegally, and question the government (though all for reasons they deem noble -- i.e. to stop the Vietnam War). There's kindness between Lucy and Jude, even when they're at odds, and Jude and Max form a very strong and loyal friendship.
Violence: Soldiers shoot at others during the Vietnam War; cops shoot at looters and beat protesters (one main character is bloodied); anti-war extremists build bombs; a quarrel between two men turns physical.
Sex: Artistic scenes show two lovers floating in water, naked and kissing; they're also shown in bed (under the covers), waking up together, and locked in passionate embraces a handful of times (deep French kissing). Two scenes show bare breasts, and men's backsides are visible as well. Passing references to promiscuity.
Language: Runs the gamut from "bastard" to "s--t" and "f--k."
Consumerism: The film is inspired by Beatles music. Some labels of alcoholic beverages get screen time.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Characters smoke pot and use psychedelic drugs. They also drink quite a bit, from beer to hard liquor.

More on Across the Universe

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about how the Beatles' music defined a generation. Are the songs as relevant today as when they first became famous? What about their music makes it so universal? Families can also discuss the counter-culture movement of the 1960s and '70s. Are young people as involved with politics today as they were then? Or does that kind of passion only happen in movies anymore? Do you think that era tends to get idealized today? Why or why not?

What's the story?

What's the story?
ACROSS THE UNIVERSE taps into the Beatles' impressive, iconic catalog to tell the story of young love during the turbulent 1960s and 1970s. Lucy (Evan Rachel Wood) and Jude (Jim Sturgess) are worlds apart, literally, as the movie begins. She's a high school senior cloistered in an affluent American suburb; he's the boy from Liverpool gifted with a talent for the visual arts but toiling in a factory. Determined to make something, anything, of himself, he relocates to America; befriends Lucy's brother, Max (Joe Anderson); and promptly falls in love. The realization hits Jude in a bowling alley, and what follows is a gleeful rendition of "I've Just Seen a Face."

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Across the Universe is an audacious feat for which director Julie Taymor deserves much praise, but the movie falls short. While Taymor's fantastical concepts are admirable, musicals -- even fevered ones like Moulin Rouge -- tend to work better when the singing is organic and the setting naturalistic (as naturalistic as a musical can be, anyway), with characters launching into the perfect song to evoke emotions they need to express. From that perspective, Across the Universe succeeds. But when the film segues into nonsensical bits -- Eddie Izzard's "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite," for instance -- it loses its way. Plus, some of the numbers are so stylized that they're best left to the Broadway stage.

An insubstantial script also hobbles the film; despite the grave subject matters it addresses -- war, art, love -- and the fact that characters dabble in sex and drugs, Across the Universe remains lightweight. It's painted in strokes that, albeit stunning, are too broad. By the time the credits roll, it feels less powerful than when it began, and that's a shame. It could have been a contender; as it stands, it's a memorable, wonderful confection with too much unrealized potential.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Columbia Tristar
Director: Julie Taymor
Cast: Evan Rachel Wood, Jim Sturgess, Joe Anderson
Genre: Musical
Run time: 133 minutes
Theatrical release: September 21, 2007
DVD release: February 4, 2008
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: some drug content, nudity, sexuality, violence and language.
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This review was written by S. Jhoanna Robledo
 
 

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What parents & educators say

13
Based on 23 parent & educator reviews:
  • 26% say there's too much drinking, drugs, or smoking

Most useful reviews by all members

twilightxacros ...
teen, 17 years old
 
amazing
This movie is amazing. Best musical since Moulin Rouge, as someone else mentioned. In fact, I saw it 6 times in theater, and now own it. I wouldn't recommend it for tweens, but it is appropriately rated PG-13. There is partial nudity, breasts and butts, but nothing too bad. And if to say "ew" and "it's inappropriate" is a bit immature. It's just the human body. The music was great, and it has a lot of meaning. (Do your research.) My favorite scene was definitely Strawberry Fields Forever. Beautifully done.

Sylviaaa
teen, 15 years old
 
This is one of my top movies!
This is one of my favorite movies ever. Besides having great music and choreography, this movie had an interesting and deep storyline. It isn't just fluff. Now on to the "inappropriate" material involved in this film. 1. There is nudity. It might make some younger kids go "yuck," but I say, what is wrong with the human body? 2. The characters do drugs, drink, etc. However, I belive this is okay if your kids know that these things are bad. 3. There are a couple scenes of fighting. This is the part where you should know your kid. Will they not be bothered by this, or will they have nightmares? I think this is a great movie, but only a certain age group will enjoy it. Either you get it or you don't. Know your kid, or you might be answering questions the whole 133 minutes.

carebear<3
teen, 16 years old
 
Not okay...
The music was wonderful but some major things that changed my mind such as the nude images (ewwww) and all the drugs and drinking i would not reccomend this movie to anyone my age

 
Love it.
One of the best movies I have ever seen. A beautiful movie, with beautiful singing by beautiful actors/actresses. Julie Taymor at her best, definitely. Watch this film. You won't be disappointed.

ocie14
teen, 14 years old
 
iffy but cool
this movie was good, but not appropriate for my 8 yr old brother. there is violence: jude is beat and bloodied, war is shown, and a child dies in a riot. sexy stuff: couples are shown in bed naked, and kissing. language: S and F word. there are also drinks and drugs. i really liked this movie but its not for everyone. there are lots of weird physcodelic images and stuff. but beatles lovers and mature kids should enjoy it

 
Unexpected pleasure
Although I enjoy The Beatles, I wasn't amped up going into this movie. However as soon as it began, I could tell it was going to be a good one. The story line was fast enough to keep us going and the use of the music as well as the character development were well entwined with each other. This movie is not just about Beatle Music... You won't be disappointed here. By the way if you like Bono, its your bonus!

forgeahead10
parent of 15 year old
 
This movie embodies a fantastical musical approach to the movement of the 60s with war, finding oneself, free love, loyal friendship, and the influence of drugs. Teens connect to the bright colors, mischief, and rebel nature of the characters, however, will also see the perils of distrust teens had for adults in the 60s which when compared to now, seem sad. The over powering result of the distrust is undying friendships that have the ability to influence good or bad. A part of American history that widely opens the door to family conversations of all those subjects we hate to bring up from the 60s. I highly recommend it. Baby boomers will love the episodic connections of each Beatle's song!

Theshellybug@y ...
teen, 16 years old
 
13 and up will love it, but won't want to see it with grandma
I love the music. The actors are amazing singers and can hold up to the legendary originals.

super mello
teen, 17 years old
 
Amazing movie
this was an wonderful movie. the covers of the beatles songs were really well done, and they were implemented well in the story line. it was a sweet love story, but it also had deeper, underlying conflicts. the story really portrayed the reality of the time period, wich meant that there were deaths, drugs, sex, protests, and other things that were really quite shocking sometimes. some of the war scenes were REALLY intense (i closed my eyes). but overall, i really loved the movie. the main charachters, Jude and Lucy, were charming yet believable. its a must see for all teens and adults!

 
great movie iffy for tweens!
This is a great movie one of my favorites but I was surprised about how much sexuality, nude breasts, language, drugs and violence there was in this movie! I would suggest this for 15 years and older. This movie have excellent music and for music love this movie is for you!!!

 
sorry to be the first...
but i did not like this film at all, yes there is pretty colors, shots, and music but does that define a "good movie" in my opinion no it does not.This is just a shot at trying to resell and sum up the 60's and 70's to this generation of young people hoping to find something new and inventive but that has been around for quiet a awhile. But for your kids i would wait till they are at most 14.

 
An under appreciated gem
Anyone who loves the Beatles or Musicals. Possibly my favorite movie musical.

larae14
educator
 
Great Music + Nudity = A "Must NOT Watch, Just Buy the Soundtrack"
Great music! But I could go without the nudity. I thought the main characters are scoundrels. I know, it's a timepiece...blah blah blah. If I'd lived in that time I would have thought people that behaved this way were scoundrels too. In fact, I know people who behave this way today and I think they act like irresponsible scoundrels too.

stillconfused
teen, 15 years old
 
Great movie!
First off, the nudity. Common Sense makes it look like it's a big issue, but it really isn't. To tell you the truth, there's only two (or three if you count inhuman figures with completely pale skin) scenes with nudity of any sort, and one of them doesn't show a thing. One of them does show one breast, but it's very brief. I guess if you have a problem with drawn breasts, then it might be worse, but honestly, breasts pop up in art all the time. The language wasn't that bad. A few s**ts and one f**k, but other than that, nothing drastic. Of course, this film takes place in the sixties, so there's a lot of drugs and alcohol, but it isn't really a big issue. The violence is probably the biggest issue, and to tell you the truth, it's nothing to worry about. A few scenes regarding the Vietnam war, with some blood, but no serious gore. I actually think this would be a positive experience for your children. It can really teach them a lot about music, art, politics, and love. Definitely a thumbs up.

Basye
adult
 
Exceptional!
The nude scene and love scene is very tastfully done. In fact I would rather my 13 year old see two people who really love each other have some passion rather than two people just have sex. The nude scene was as beautiful and tastful as going to the Ghetti Museum. Tabitha

 
Absolutely amazing film!
This was an amazing film. The music is mind-blowing. There is some iffy content though. There are several scenes with drugs, and some which seem to take place in drug-fueled trances. There is also nudity (some bare breasts) and some heavy kissing (nude, in bed, etc.) There are some disturbing violence scenes. Men in Vietnam, and a boy singing as people riot around him. He is later shown dead in a coffin. The movie is also emotionally challenging. Watch yourself before you have your younger teen see it.

iluvKH
teen, 18 years old
 
Don't waste any time
People think this movie i great. I don't. It had pretty shots and interesting visuals but it might as well been released as a series of music videos. I've seen this story, how many times? Also it should have been rated R. There is frontal nudity. Artistically done? Give me a break. The girl rolls over in bed and shows everything. A girl in body paint shows everyting. Two people make out naked in the water. I applaud the music. The movie was horrible. Just watch three of the scenes.

Bookbug72
kid, 12 years old
 
Overall amazing! A little bit inappropriate.
My favorite movie! May be a little intense for younger kids. Characters do use drugs although kids will have no idea what they are looking at. There is a little violence although nothing kids haven't seen playing video games. The worst scene of sex is an artistic scene where the two main characters are seen naked and kissing. Nothing bad shown.

Shadow Addict
teen, 15 years old
 
Beautiful movie, great covers of great music
I went to see this movie with my family recently (I'm a total Beatlemaniac). It was incredible. I am waiting for the opportunity to go see it again, and believe me when I say I'll be getting it on DVD. Its use of The Beatles' music was perfect. The first thing I did when I got home was to put on my iPod and listen to Beatles music the rest of the night. Yes, there's some nudity and sex, but it's very artistic, and if your kid's the type who yells, "Oh my god, boobies!", then I'm surprised they like Beatles music at all. This movie is a must see for any Beatles fans. Get your children into a whole new kind of music.

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