Nowhere Boy

Name: Nowhere Boy
Genre: Biography, Drama, Music
Released: October 8, 2010
Duration: 98 min
Rating: 67
Cast: Aaron Johnson, Anne-Marie Duff, Kristin Scott Thomas

2010

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 32 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 67 Ratings

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7.3

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7.3	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 67 Ratings

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Nowhere Boy

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Movie Details & Credits

Weinstein Company, The | Release Date: October 8, 2010 | R

Starring: Aaron Johnson, Anne-Marie Duff, Kristin Scott Thomas

Summary: Imagine… John Lennon's childhood. Liverpool 1955: a smart and troubled fifteen year-old is hungry for experience. In a family full of secrets, two incredible women clash over John: Mimi, the buttoned-up Aunt who raised him, and Julia, the prodigal mother. Yearning for a normal family, John escapes into the new and exciting world of rock n'Imagine… John Lennon's childhood. Liverpool 1955: a smart and troubled fifteen year-old is hungry for experience. In a family full of secrets, two incredible women clash over John: Mimi, the buttoned-up Aunt who raised him, and Julia, the prodigal mother. Yearning for a normal family, John escapes into the new and exciting world of rock n' roll where his fledgling genius finds a kindred spirit in the teenage Paul McCartney. Just as John begins his new life, tragedy strikes. But a resilient young man finds his voice - and an icon explodes into the world. (The Weinstein Company)… Expand

Director: Sam Taylor-Wood

Genre(s): Biography, Drama, Music

Rating: R

Runtime: 98 min

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Critic Reviews

Owen Gleiberman

By the end of Nowhere Boy, you'll feel you know John Lennon better than you ever did. Read full review

Roger Ebert

We learn that the emotional roller coaster of his formative years probably contributed to the complexity of his lyrics. Read full review

Andrew O'Hehir

Scott Thomas' delicate, ferocious performance captures a woman quietly at war with herself, who begins to realize that her vision of respectability may not fit the remarkable young man in her care. Read full review

Dana Stevens

The baby-faced Thomas Sangster nearly steals the show in the much smaller role of Paul McCartney. Read full review

Shawn Levy

It's often flat and dull, and it can be heavy-handed with the little acorn-that-will-yield-the-famous-oak bits that so often dot biographical films about the youthful lives of famous figures. Read full review

Empire Ian Freer

Anchored by a strong central turn, Nowhere Boy crafts entertaining, small-scale drama out of Lennon's huge-sized legend. It just lacks the spark and ambition of its subject. Read full review

Joe Neumaier

Johnson is convincing as a swaggering, jokey Lennon, but the photos of young John, Paul and George that end the movie ultimately have more punch than this bubblegummy montage. Read full review

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User Reviews

sahtakcin

Oct 26, 2010

John would be sure to remind us that that you have to be careful when you venture into idol-making. "Nor is their singing school but studying monuments of it's own magnificence..." So the director is careful here, too careful. It has its moments but this is kitchen room drama not "A DayJohn would be sure to remind us that that you have to be careful when you venture into idol-making. "Nor is their singing school but studying monuments of it's own magnificence..." So the director is careful here, too careful. It has its moments but this is kitchen room drama not "A Day In The Life."… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

BamaFalstaff

May 28, 2011

"Nowhere Boy" is a fascinating depiction of a driven boy troubled by familial divides. I must begin by saying that I love history, and I love historical dramas. I am able to set the factual history aside to enjoy dramatic stories. Many history lovers are not, but I am fine with a storyteller"Nowhere Boy" is a fascinating depiction of a driven boy troubled by familial divides. I must begin by saying that I love history, and I love historical dramas. I am able to set the factual history aside to enjoy dramatic stories. Many history lovers are not, but I am fine with a storyteller taking a person or event from history to lay it as the foundation of the movie and then tell a story. Having said that, I am not a fan or history buff of John Lennon or The Beatles, so I truly have no outside opinion when I walked in the theatre. The only fact I truly had at the beginning was the knowledge that the main character, John, would somehow get together with a couple of chaps named Paul and George (I actually did know that Ringo wasn't there at the beginning) to form what would become one of the greatest and most loved rock groups ever. The journey, which is made entirely out of relationships, is incredible. Kristin Scott Thomas' performance (Mimi) is perfection. At the beginning, one considers that her character will be a British, stiff-upper-lipped stock matriarch, but that presumptive viewer will soon be had...as I was! It will be hard for a viewer to find fault with any of the performances. This is not a film to be passed over.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

DawdlingPoet

Nov 22, 2021

This movie is fairly slow paced and very character focussed. Featuring plenty of music from the time (1940s-1950s mainly) throughout, it depicts a time of teenage disillusionment and shows the characters love of music. The movie only really covers Johns rebellious teenage years, althoughThis movie is fairly slow paced and very character focussed. Featuring plenty of music from the time (1940s-1950s mainly) throughout, it depicts a time of teenage disillusionment and shows the characters love of music. The movie only really covers Johns rebellious teenage years, although this includes some pivotal moments such as when he met Paul and George for the first time but the movie is really about him and those few others around him at that particular time, more than a general movie specifically about The Beatles, so if your expecting a movie purely about the rise of The Beatles then I'd give warning that this may not be what your looking for but it does give an insight into his upbringing and way of thinking during his teenage years as he was getting a feel for performing. I noticed its quite a colourful movie in a sense, with the brightly coloured walls and carpeting plus some fancy clothing. There's some pretty sharp dialogue - indeed, the interaction between John and his aunt and mother makes for quite compelling viewing, with the aunt and mother having quite different attitudes. I'd imagine most fans of Lennon will be quite familiar with his life story - I feel this movie features pretty steadfast, quite emotional performances from the cast, so they pull it off pretty well. Some scenes are hard to watch from an emotional standpoint, when certain things are learnt and decisions made.

I feel that the title of the movie is quite fitting as in this period of his life, he does seem to be seen by the wider public at times as rather a nobody and questioning his family, identity and future, it does seem a poignant title. Content wise, be aware that strong language is present, as well as one or two sexual references and mild violent scenes - it carries a 15 certificate which seems fair.

I wouldn't say this is an entirely sentimental movie, although it is sentimental in parts, when its needed I suppose. I'd say it seems to illustrate the time well, it doesn't come across as fake to me, though perhaps im not the best one to judge that, not being around at the time of course.

I thought it was an interesting movie, one that wasn't too long winded which is always a plus for me. Not knowing a great deal about the subject but being interested enough to give it a watch, I'd say it was worth the watch but no doubt those who are really big fans of him could find the odd criticism. As a movie generally, I found it to be quite watchable and I particularly liked the interaction with the main characters and I think the musical score will probably please most people. Seeing Paul McCartney as a young boy was a bit of a surprise - I guess I've always seen or thought of him as obviously a much older person but he comes across as very young and innocent, moreso than Lennon at the time.

Yes I'd recommend this movie as I felt the cast gave good performances, the interaction between John, his aunt and mother is quite interesting - there are some quite good emotional scenes and its generally pretty watchable, if a little slow plot wise. This may not suit everyone, its a drama and im not sure if it claims to be 100% completely accurate in terms of his life story but as a general movie, it seemed pretty good to me, so im happy to recommend it.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

RyanGee

Jan 31, 2011

From Nowhere Boy's chic Elvis backed introduction, we see a young John Lennon who is informed by his principal that "...you'll be lucky to find a job...because you're going nowhere." The defiant Lennon gives a lighthearted sinister smirk, and replies, "Is 'nowhere' full of geniuses sir?From Nowhere Boy's chic Elvis backed introduction, we see a young John Lennon who is informed by his principal that "...you'll be lucky to find a job...because you're going nowhere." The defiant Lennon gives a lighthearted sinister smirk, and replies, "Is 'nowhere' full of geniuses sir? Because then I probably do belong there." Drawing from this scene, it is ironic that a film that is focused on one of the more genuine and intelligent figures in music, is rather more emotionally based than anything else. With that said, unlike some recent biopics (i.e. Coco avant Chanel) that depicted solely the roots of a famous celebrity, Nowhere Boy approaches its material in a way that is entertaining and effective.

Nowhere Boy depicts the life of Beatles member John Lennon prior to the success of his legendary band. Portrayed by Aaron Johnson, the film examines Lennon's early life and the influence he had by the two women in his life: Lennon's parental figure Aunt Mimi (Kristin Scott Thomas) and his irresponsible mother, Julia Lennon (Annie-Marie Duff). Aaron Johnson plays Lennon in an uncannily accurate manner; He does not force his impersonation, rather the subtlety and poise he displays gives the audience an undeniable representation of the Beatle. Thomas and Duff, who supports Johnson as Lennon's parental figures, add to an opposing spectrum that contributes to the overall balance of the film. The film in definitely touching in its performances, and shows Lennon's more emotion and casual side.

Not only is the film well acted, it looks good as well. Intertwining vintage tunes and captivating yet subtle imagery, the audience gets a perfect picture of Britain in its pre-rock and skiffle-based stage. Overall, Nowhere Boy is far from a masterpiece. There is hardly any focus on The Beatles nor any sense of Lennon's musical genius. There is solely a single reference to Lennon's songwriting, thus the film lacks any ambition of its focused topic. While the film perfectly succeeds in projecting its emotional side, there is no focus on intellect. This flaw can probably be ignored in any other film, but a film based on John Lennon should have some share of his musical ambition. Nowhere Boy largely delivers an entertaining biopic, but it's really only half of what it should aim for.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

beingryanjude

Sep 3, 2014

.Aaron Taylor-Johnson gives a commendable portrayal of John Lennon during his early years in Nowhere Boy. The film is an intimate look at Lennon's roots and the formation of The Beatles. We may be missing some music from The Beatles--but are instead given the music which influenced them.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

J-Shap

Aug 28, 2011

Nowhere Boy manages to leave all the recent musical biopics in the dust by doing the exact opposite of what they've been doing: Painting our God-like figure of music as a normal guy with a lot of problems. Who knows? Maybe if his mother had loved him more, he wouldn't have sung about it as much.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MarcDoyle

Oct 11, 2010

I was under the misimpression that this would be a story about the formation of the Beatles from John Lennon's perspective. Instead, we get a poorly paced examination of Lennon and the two women in his life. I was, frankly, a little bored. The lead actor is solid enough to keep meI was under the misimpression that this would be a story about the formation of the Beatles from John Lennon's perspective. Instead, we get a poorly paced examination of Lennon and the two women in his life. I was, frankly, a little bored. The lead actor is solid enough to keep me interested, and his mother is terrific, but as a movie - I'd give it a pass.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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