BY BLUE KAUFMAN
In an attempt to ditch their manager, the Beatles sneak out a back door as John Lennon triumphantly shouts “We’re Out”! Together, they race to an open field and embrace their liberation by jumping and dancing, unable to contain the boyish grins that seem to be plastered on to their faces. Practically tripping over themselves with laughter, the scene is saturated with wishful surrealism as their hit song Cant Buy Me Love plays in the background. Seeing the Beatles so young and full of life has never been so good and A Hard Day’s Night manages to capture them at the peak of their career.
Released in September 1964, A Hard Day’s Night follows a day in the life of the Fab Four. They ride trains, pull humorous pranks, and try to escape the swarms of screaming fan girls constantly on their tail. This film is spontaneous, never takes itself too seriously, and the Beatles (who play stereotyped versions of themselves) seem to be enjoying every second of it.
With a run-time of 92 minutes, there isn’t a single minute of downtime. Whether it’s trying to keep track of Paul’s Grandfather or close calls performing on stage, Director Richard Lester artfully blends the different tones of the film with quick jittery camera cuts and crisp black and white cinematography. All in all, clever one-liners and witty banter between the Beatles breathe life into a script that seems to never miss a beat.
At its core, A Hard Day’s Night is about Individuality. It’s about youth and freedom and just being yourself. When the Beatles play their songs on stage it’s magic and the star crazed fans that cheer them on seem to juxtapose their kinetic energy. It’s hard to believe that even now, 50 years later, the sight of them performing still has the power to electrify.
For those who grew up during the era, A Hard Day’s Night is like opening a time capsule; it’s blissfully nostalgic as it effortlessly allows its viewers to reminisce about older and simpler times. For those, like me, who only know the Beatles from pictures, stories, and the songs they left behind, the film is a rare glimpse into the phenomena that was ‘Beatlemania’.
