Nowhere Boy [2010]

Here’s John Lennon before he was John Lennon. He might have taught the world that “all you need is love”, but what you probably didn’t know is that he spent most of his childhood looking for it. “Nowhere Boy”, from director Sam Taylor Wood, is not a “Beatle’s” movie. It’s a John Lennon movie. It’s a nicely crafted film, poignant at times, that makes you understand and appreciate John Lennon as a man and an artist.  From the age of five, he lived with his  Aunt Mimi (Kristen Scott Thomas) and her husband George. The film focuses on Lennon’s life in his teens when, after the death of George, his biological mother Julia (Marie Ann Duff) entered his life.  The relationship between him and the two women in his life is beautifully depicted, as is his connection with a very young Paul McCartney (played by Thomas Brodie-Sangster). The influence of these two very different women, along with his love for Rock N’ Roll music will have a permanent effect on his life, his art and eventually the world. The acting is damn near perfect; Aaron Johnson might look nothing like Lennon, but the guy’s a revelation. Fanboys may recall seeing him in “Kick Ass”, but indie audiences will be able to see what a gifted young actor he is in “Nowhere Boy”. No wonder critics couldn’t get enough of him. You won’t either. His performance grabs hold and won’t let go. Same goes for the movie.

Rating: 3/4