I Wanna Hold Your Hand (1978)
Grade: 70
"I Wanna Hold Your Hand" is an early directorial effort by Robert Zemeckis, the Spielberg protege whose biggest success, "Back to the Future", would come seven years later. The title is derived from the Beatles' first #1 single in America. This is appropriate, since the film is about the wave of Beatlemania sweeping America in February 1964.
The Beatles are about to appear on the Ed Sullivan show. A group of New York teenagers, with varying motives, are eager to get tickets to the performance. Wide-eyed bride-to-be Pam (Nancy Allen) wants some equivalent of a wedding shower, brash Rosie (Wendie Jo Sperber) and nerdy Richard (Eddie Deezen) are obsessed fans, Larry (Marc McClure) is hoping to score with ambitious photographer Grace (Theresa Saldana), while folkie Janis (Susan Kendall Newman) and greaser Tony (Bobby Di Cicco) want to sabotage the appearance.
A screwball comedy ensues. The kids get into and out of trouble, experience setbacks and triumphs, break multiple laws and cause much chaos. All for an opportunity to see the Beatles. But a happy ending is in store for all concerned. Even Tony comes around, although it takes a bolt of lightning to do the job.
The authenticity is impressive. The soundtrack consists of glorious, original Beatles songs, contemporary with those available to fans in Feb. 1964. While there are clever, dead-on vocal imitations of the Fab Four, whenever their faces are shown, it's the real thing and not an impersonation. There is an Ed Sullivan impersonator (Will Jordan), but his Sullivan schtick is perfect. (One ironic moment has 'Sullivan' announcing that next week's show includes comic Will Jordan.) The adult indifference to, and contempt for, the cultural phenomenon also seems accurate.
Of course, sometimes the silliness goes overboard. A drunken Larry knocks unconscious a man easily twice his size. Selfish Grace makes an unlikely career sacrifice for the sake of dweeby Larry. Janis, who prefers Paul Stookey to Paul McCartney, has an unexplained transformation from Beatles protestor to Beatles fan.
kollers@mpsi.net http://members.tripod.com/~Brian_Koller/movies.html
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