Keswick Film Festival

Synopsis

Nominated for 5 BIFA Awards (acting, screenplay and direction) this was chosen as the gala conclusion to the 2009 London Film Festival. Aaron Johnson, Anne-Marie Duff and Kristin Scott Thomas (John Lennon, his mother Julia and his Aunt Mimi) do an excellent job in portraying Lennon’s life from 1955, when he was a rebellious 15-year-old living in stifling suburbia with his formidable aunt, until his departure for Hamburg with two other unknowns, Paul McCartney and George Harrison. John’s increasing discontent manifests itself in re-establishing contact with his mother whom he previously knew only as Mimi’s erratic, highly-strung sister Julia. Authenticity is maintained by a fine script from Matt Greenhalgh (Control), and Taylor Wood with her director of photography Seamus McGarvey, who portray post-war Liverpool with loving accuracy.