there's many things appealing about this one
spain - road-trip - 1960's - beatles chase - true story
and the clincher - award-winning soundtrack by pat metheny
that in itself would have me taking on any film known to man
antonio is a bachelor-loner teacher who is a serious beatles fan
opening scenes confirming this using the lyrics of help in a class
not only as an english-speaking lesson but some basic philosophy
why is lennon asking for help when he is both rich and famous
answer - he is lonely - as is our main man - we have connection
john lennon actually took on an acting role in a war film shot in spain
so antonio decides to head to the coastal town of shooting to meet the man
he picks up belen at a petrol station - she a young runaway pregnant teenager
she has escaped from an unpleasant woman's shelter her parents sent her to
next a teenage boy hitchhiker named juanjo is picked up and joins the gang
he is running away from home to avoid getting the haircut his father demands
they tease each other - antonio - what do your students call you - baldy? fatty? four-eyes?
he responds by dumping them when they question the importance of the beatles
but only kidding - get back in the car - it's all kind of cute bordering on annoying
but we are reminded we are in franco's fascist spain with random car checks, etc
so that element lurking in the background adds an interesting element to the story
not to mention the subtle but unmistakable soundtrack a-la guitarist pat metheny
but - the director seems intent on providing some appeal across the board
so we are subjected to the clumsy awkwardness of a teenage boy crush
juanjo falls for belen and she obliges him with his first sexual experience
more cute stuff that has the story off on what seems an unnecessary tangent
in the meantime antonio continues to be the desperate role model
shelling out money, kindness and advice to all that he comes across
life is like a dog - it smells fear and attacks - stand up to your fears!
a strange scene where he uses his car to destroy a man's tomato crop
charging off in triumph with one finger raised to his hapless adversary
never did figure out what that was about - nor of the intended lesson
of course they eventually get to almeria where filming is underway
as in real life antonio is taken into lennon's caravan for a one-on-one
here supposedly lennon was convinced to provide lyrics with beatles albums
antonio advising the man that non-english speaking children would benefit
he emerges from the caravan with his tape-recorder and a taped tune
lennon singing strawberry fields forever - and the opening line
life is easy with eyes closed - and hence the title of this film
nice - mission accomplished and a fairly quick wrap-up ensues
boy and girl head off into the sunset with boy's dad to the rescue
the parting comment - what do my students call me - the fifth beatle
teacher ditto heads home with the promise of a future visit from his idol
me - quite glad to see the end of that one - great idea and insight
but just all too cutesy - considering the time and place
looking forward to more substance in more ff films...
