Once and awhile, a figure emerges whose presence goes beyond borders, time and space. This person, through talent and force of will irrevocably weave him or herself into the collective human psyche. John Lennon is one such character and his persona is so well documented and examined that I'm not sure any one documentary could be considered essential viewing but John Lennon: Love is All You Need still manages to move and entertain.
Those who have seen or read the Beatles Anthology will recall many of the story beats presented. Because John and his "fab" cohorts are interesting, the film from 2010 does not fail to entertain but it's unlikely to change anyone's mind about Lennon or the Beatles. It does however attempt to paint an exceptionally even-handed view of Yoko Ono's role in John's life. Given how she was perceived back then, perhaps even-handed should count as a positive portrayal. To here one author, the oft shown Paul Gambacinni, admit that the extensive criticism she suffered stemmed from the less subtle racism and sexism of that era was heartening.
We reach the turning point about half way through where Brian Epstein, the Beatles' manager, dies of an accidental suicide. Gambacinni claims that Epstein had always pressed for maximum accessibility and especially after the "more popular than Jesus" fiasco blew up in America, limiting the band member's commentary on public affairs, specifically the Vietnam War, was top priority. There is a great clip of Paul calling out the American press for taking comments out of context and blowing them out of proportion, then cheekily back pedaling a second later. And I kind of loved all the half assed sounding "sorry if you were offended" non-apologies John tossed about in various interviews.
Epstein's untimely death seems to act as a catalyst, which pulls John in the complete opposite direction, towards a woman with little interest in being liked, but certainly wanting to be popular. Next thing you know Lennon writes "Revolution," a pretty bald statement in support of the peacenik movement and leaves his wife. The interview footage of Ono and Lennon talking about art and fielding calls from war protestors from one of their many bed-ins still reverberates in this hippy leftists' soul.
Where Love Is All You Need really excels is in reminding us how little media coverage of famous people has changed. The archival footage of screaming young women is rather cliché, and is never not annoying, but the feeling of claustrophobia from that constant barrage is still palpable. One moment early on has the boys dodging phone calls from "the newsies," being filmed and getting their picture taken simultaneously. During an interview with Lennon's first wife Cynthia and son Sean, the pair reminisce about "the Roller" as the tackiest souped up Rolls Royce I've ever seen appears, looking like sepia-toned outtakes of Cribs.
Early death aside, Lennon possessed talent to back up the depth of his celebrity. Who used his fame to promote causes, not products, which is why you would be pressed to meet someone who bypassed the "Beatlemania" phase of their childhood.