Amy Lu's View

I didn’t get it.

It pains me a little to say that, as the “it” in question is the Beatles “Yellow Submarine” movie, which I saw for the first time yesterday. For while there are many things in life that I don’t get, (including everything from instagram to instant pots), I’ve been a diehard Beatles fan for over 30 years. So I expected that groovin’ to the good-natured psychedelic shenanigans of “Yellow Submarine” would totally be in my wheelhouse (a phrase I just looked up to verify that it means what I think it means, and it does, just don’t ask me to literally define it).

I DID enjoy the artistry of the movie, and of course, the music. It was very clever and I’m glad I saw it. I’m sure the images will stay with me and percolate in my consciousness. My appreciation for “Yellow Submarine” is probably going to grow over time.

BUT…and I’m having to take a big breath to admit this… as I was watching it, I found it rather boring. A couple of times, I even almost fell asleep (although some of that was probably due to marathon training exhaustion).

It feels sacreligious to say that in public, but I’m trying to be more honest about my opinions and feeling as I get older, especially when it comes to art and culture. I don’t want to like things just because I feel I should, or judge other people because their tastes aren’t “cool” or “sophisticated.” (Of course, I will judge them, but  hopefully will at least call myself on it more). I’m trying to break free from the idea of “guilty pleasures” (unless the guilt makes the pleasure more exciting) and guilty displeasures, too.

Not loving “Yellow Submarine” makes me feel square and unimaginative (I’m a Blue Meanie), but there were so many psychedelic and whimsical images and characters that they started to lose their impact for me. To reference one of the movie’s songs, “it was all too much.” I think I would have been happier if there was more of a contrast between the real world and the fantasy realms of Pepperland and the various magical Seas. I also think I was a little letdown because the Beatles didn’t actually do very much except ride around in the Yellow Submarine and push buttons.

And yeah, I may have wanted a titch more of a plot. I might be too beholden to narrative structure.

I was completely sober when I saw the movie, so that may have had an impact, too. I’d probably appreciate “Yellow Submarine” more if I saw it with a glass (or two…) of red wine. Or, looping back to the beginning of this post (because I am just that talented of a writer) maybe if I had a different kind of pot (rather than an instant one. Which I still don’t get).