Rent Backbeat (1994)

Moving & Interesting Rock Biopic/Drama/Romance - Backbeat review by GI

A first class drama, rock biopic and romance story and one of the best narrative films that charts part of the history of The Beatles. Starting in 1960 and gifted young artist Stuart Sutcliffe (Stephen Dorff) and his best mate John Lennon (Ian Hart) are members of an up and coming rock 'n' roll band. They're on their way to Hamburg to play as the resident band in a strip club. Stuart has recently sold a painting and John has convinced him to buy a bass guitar with the proceeds. He can't play it but is drawn to the charisma of John who believes the band can make it big and agrees to be a part of what is Lennon's dream. Once in Hamburg Stuart meets the quiet and beautiful Astrid (Sheryl Lee) and they soon fall in love much to John's consternation. With the story spread over two years and ending in tragedy this is a quite accurate depiction of the Beatles time in Hamburg but focused on the three way relationship between Sutcliffe, Lennon and Astrid. It's a compelling drama, scripted rather well and telling the story of a talented young man who is often unknown in the Beatles history but was a remarkable painter. It's also a tender story of love built around a time of anger and change. Hart is excellent as the dedicated and focused Lennon, not adverse to voicing his anger, and Dorff has really captured Sutcliffe's persona with the real Astrid as an adviser on the film remarking how accurate his portrayal. The other band members are all good at their various roles especially Gary Bakewell as Paul McCartney. This is a well made, well acted and very moving and interesting drama and a film worth checking out whether you are a Beatles fan or not.