Library Video of the Week, April 23, 2012.

Nowhere Boy, starring Aaron Johnson, Ann-Marie Duff, David Threlfall and Kristin Scott-Thomas, directed by Sam Taylor-Wood. 2009.  Library Call Number: PN1995.9.B55N69 2011.

          The story of a young boy in 1955 Liverpool, being raised by his aunt and uncle, with his father unknown and his erratic mother out of his life might be interesting enough.  But the boy will soon become known to the world as John Lennon, which makes this film adaptation of his young life extremely compelling.  His mother’s reappearance causes all the long-suppressed, intense family conflicts to boil over.  

     Ann-Marie Duff as the gypsy spirit of a mother and Kristin Scott-Thomas as the icy, strait-laced aunt give memorable performances.  Aaron Johnson is charismatic and compelling as young Lennon, at times a clown, at times a tortured soul.  The English accent is so thick you might need the subtitles, but the origin of the Beatles and the back story of the troubled soul that began Lennon’s love affair with music make this a must see.