[dropcap letter=”I”]magine if you were a failing musician and the world went dark for 12 seconds. In precisely 12 seconds, life as you know it would change forever. And, with a stroke of luck and a plan, one of the greatest bands and songwriters of all time would cease to exist, leaving you tasked with carrying on their music. That is YESTERDAY. A film that begs the question, would you steal the songs of the world’s greatest rock band to pass it off as your own—if the opportunity arised?
Yesterday is not merely a film about the undeniable catalogue of music produced by The Beatles, it is about being an artist, being a friend, being a son, and falling in love (and how often we realize who we love way too late in the game). Starring Himesh Patel as struggling singer/songwriter Jack Malik, Lily James as the Malik’s childhood friend and love interest Ellie, Kate McKinnon as his passive aggressive manager, and Ed Sheeran as a fictionalized version of himself, Yesterday is the kind of film that emulates both hope and discouragement in a time in history where none of us are quite sure what we’re doing in this world. It is clever, heartwarming, and the most wonderful approach to changing your path—accompanied by the incredible music.
Directed by the immeasurably talented Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, Slumdog Millionaire, 128 Days) and written by Richard Curtis (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Love Actually), based on a story by Jack Barth and Curtis, Yesterday begins when life as a musician has finally taken its toll on Malik. With one stroke of a life changing blackout, and a terrible accident of getting hit by a bus, he takes the opportunity of time and space having been interrupted in strange—and very randomized—pockets, and turns it on its head. When realizing no one seems to remember The Beatles or any of their music, Malik recreates their music and claims the songs as his own. In a hysterical and troubling interaction with Ed Sheeran, Sheeran recognizes the brilliange of Malik (albeit Paul, John, Ringo, and Gorge) and introduces Malik to his agent. Before he knows it, he is not only opening for Sheeran, he is now a global sensation. The trouble is, the success comes at a price and the price is love and self-respect.
The film explores the honesty and wonder of falling in love with your best friend, the complication of a whirlwind success, and the tough decisions that accompany both. This film has some genuinely sweet moments including imagining a world where John Lennon is still alive and well. Boyle has created yet another stunning tale steeped in a brilliant soundtrack with exceptional performances. Yesterday is a must-see.
The film is now available on DVD/Blu-ray, and for rent or digital copy on Amazon, iTunes and Redbox.
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SYNOPSIS
Jack Malik was just another struggling songwriter…but that was yesterday. After a mysterious blackout, Jack (Himesh Patel; BBC’s “EastEnders”) discovers he is the only person on earth who remembers The Beatles! As he rockets to fame by passing off the Fab Four’s songs as his own, Jack risks losing Ellie (Lily James; Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, Cinderella) – the one person who has loved him and believed in him from the start. Kate McKinnon and Ed Sheeran also star in this romantic rock ‘n’ roll comedy from Academy Award®-winning director Danny Boyle and Academy Award®-nominated screenwriter Richard Curtis.
The soundtrack to YESTERDAY is available on digital/streaming services as well as CD from Capitol Records/Polydor Records. The album is also available on vinyl.
*DVD format includes over 35 minutes of bonus content
BONUS FEATURES ON 4K ULTrA HD, BLU-RAY™, DVD & DIGITAL
- Alternate Opening*
- Alternate Ending
- Deleted Scenes
- Corden & Roxanne – Includes deleted performance by Himesh Patel of “Something”
- Late for School
- Nutters Italian Ice Cream
- Sortisimus
- Moscow Audience
- Alexa
- A Gonk
- W Hotel
- Jack Calls Ellie
- Hilary in the Mirror
- Nick and Carol
- Hazel’s Selfie
- Gag Reel*
- Live at Abbey Road Studios – Watch Himesh Patel perform “Yesterday”, “I Want To Hold Your Hand”, and “Let it Be” at Abbey Road Studios.
- “Yesterday”
- “I Want To Hold Your Hand”
- “Let it Be”
- Ed Sheeran: From Stadium to Screen* – Acting in his first major role, Ed Sheeran reflects on his experiences making the movie.
- Agent of Comedy: Kate McKinnon* – Kate McKinnon shares how eager she was to play the role of “Debra Hammer” while the cast and crew reflect on the fun and energy that the queen of improvisational comedy brought to the set.
- A Talented Duo* – Richard Curtis and Danny Boyle, two of the most successful British filmmakers, team up for the first time.
- Playing for Real* – The re-interpreting of the Beatles songs was a huge undertaking for newcomer Himesh Patel. Learn how he spent months learning to play the songs perfectly as the production decided to take the more challenging route of recording the musical numbers live on set.
- Soul Mates* – Beyond the music and the laughs, the film is, of course, a love story. This piece looks at the relationship between Jack & Ellie and the actors playing them.
- A Conversation with Richard & Ed* – Long-term friends Richard Curtis and Ed Sheeran have a funny and informal chat about the making of YESTERDAY.
- Feature Commentary with Director Danny Boyle and Writer/Producer Richard Curtis
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Yesterday will be available on 4K Ultra HD in a combo pack (4K Ultra HD+ Blu-ray™ + Digital). Bonus features on the 4K Ultra HD will all be delivered in stunning 4K resolution.
- 4K Ultra HD is the ultimate movie watching experience. 4K Ultra HD features the combination of 4K resolution for 4X sharper picture than HD, the color brilliance of High Dynamic Range (HDR) with immersive audio.
- Yesterday 4K Ultra HD is available with HDR10+™, providing premium HDR picture quality. HDR10+ transforms your movie watching experience with incredible brightness and contrast for each scene, delivering brighter brights and deepest darks.
- Blu-ray™ delivers a pristine HD picture and theater-quality surround sound.
- Digital lets fans watch movies anywhere on their favorite devices. Users can instantly stream or download.
- MOVIES ANYWHERE is the digital app that simplifies and enhances the digital movie collection and viewing experience by allowing consumers to access their favorite digital movies in one place when purchased or redeemed through participating digital retailers. Consumers can also redeem digital copy codes found in eligible Blu-ray™ and DVD disc packages from participating studios and stream or download them through Movies Anywhere. MOVIES ANYWHERE is only available in the United States. For more information, visit https://moviesanywhere.com.
* Exclusive to 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray™ & Digital
