“A Hard Day’s Night” stars the Beatles as barely fictionalized versions of themselves at the height of Beatlemania. But you do not have to be a fan of the Beatles to enjoy it.
The daring visual style and classic British humor make this movie more than just a showcase for one of the best bands of all time.
The concept of “A Hard Day’s Night” is that it follows a day in the life of the Beatles, from being chased by screaming fans to performing a televised concert before more screaming fans. Along the way there are some shenanigans with Paul’s grandfather, good banter and great performances of the Beatles’ early hits.
I say “concept” rather than “plot” because the pleasures of “A Hard Day’s Night” do not lie in its story. This is not “The Usual Suspects,” where you have to carefully watch every turn of the storyline and every plot twist.
Screenwriter Alun Owen gives the film a loose structure that allows the Beatles to have fun with each other and the people they encounter.
The Beatles were not actors, but they all give funny performances based on their public personas. John Lennon has some great witty lines, and Paul McCartney has good comedic timing.
The music has all of the exuberance and sincerity of the Beatles’ early period.
In particular, the filmmakers use the songs “If I Fell” and “Can’t Buy Me Love” almost perfectly. The songs of this film do not have the experimental edge that would define the Beatles’ later work, but they are just as much fun to hear.
However, there is more to “A Hard Day’s Night” than the Beatles music and funny banter. The visual style of this movie feels modern with its fast editing and hand-held camerawork.
In one scene on a train, the camera bobs along with the train’s movement. This gives the scene a somewhat musical rhythm that it wouldn’t have had with a more fixed shot.
The humor of “A Hard Day’s Night” holds up. It’s very British in terms of its insults and playful relationship to language. There’s a great conversation where Lennon tries to deny that he’s himself, which feels like a cousin of the famous “Who’s on First” comedy routine.
Some of “A Hard Day’s Night” is dated. For example, most contemporary viewers won’t understand a reference to the English subcultures mods and rockers. Additionally, this movie doesn’t really have female characters who are three-dimensional or have a lot of dialogue.
But when “A Hard Day’s Night” works, it really works.
Its influential camerawork and editing, along with its humor, make it of interest to more than Beatles fans.
It’s a jolt of energy that will make you want to get up and run.
jpastern@indiana.edu | @jessepasternack
