Yesterday (2019)

Global power outage seems to have no effect at first, but then aspiring singer-songwriter Jack realizes that all knowledge of The Beatles has been removed from everyone's consciousness along with the physical copies of their work. Other random things are also missing: cigarettes, Harry Potter, Coca-Cola, and Oasis. So, of course, he starts churning out their songs as best as he can remember them.

What a brilliant idea! And how it's wasted. We're never sure if Jack is doing it for the money, the accolades, or because he feels an imperative to get these songs back in the ears of the world. I believe this film would've been so much better if the central character were full of joy and purpose rather than moody and petulant. Sure: an element of conflict needs to be present, but it shouldn't overwhelm everything. Also, I didn't care a whit about the love story.

The very best moment came during a live performance Jack gave, where one of the audience members was open-jawed dumbstruck and it became clear he also remembered. That scene and a later one featuring the same man were lovely. How Jack didn't understand his job like this listener did is beyond me. I think it's clear that this movie could've been an "A" in more capable hands.

C+