Danny Boyle
Yesterday

What would a world without the Beatles be like? Would pop music be anything like the cultural and artistic force it is today? Would the counterculture movement of the '60s have thrived without one of its greatest icons? Would we think differently about The Catcher in the Rye if it hadn't been used as the inspiration for John Lennon's murder? And, more urgently, who would have written "Live and Let Die," arguably the greatest of all Bond themes?

None of these and other questions are answered.

The film is like a chocolate egg: sweet and satisfying enough to distract you from the fact that it is completely empty inside.

Our unfortunate protagonist is Jack Malik, whose dreams of musical stardom both began and (apparently) ended in his hometown of Clacton-on-Sea, where he spends his days performing to empty venues on the beaches and uninterested pub-goers.

His only support is Ellie, his best friend, who we soon discover is madly in love with him.

Jack decides to hang up his guitar and microphone, a global blackout lasting 12 seconds in total has created a reality where the Beatles never existed and Jack is the only one who remembers them. When he plays "Yesterday" for his friends, they all react in shock, wondering how Jack managed to create something so emotionally profound.

Yet, “Yesterday” suggests that we might not be equipped to recognize pure genius, especially when it hasn't been pre-packaged as such by a corporate giant.
A friend's reaction to "Yesterday" is dismissive, "Well, it's not the Coldplay," while Jack's parents can't even sit still long enough to listen to "Let It Be."
In fact, his rise to fame only takes off after being noticed by Ed Sheeran, who in the film has a much less intrusive and irritating role than you would expect from a world-class pop star.

The first part of the film is funny and enjoyable; in Jack's character I believe many independent musicians can see themselves.
The second part is predictable and the love story with the childhood friend is quite banal.
No spoilers, it's clear from the start how the film will end.

The only indisputable message for me in the film is that the music industry has nothing to do with art and quality music but only with profit and manufactured personalities.

If I had to give a score - 7 out of 10