GusF
Robert Zemeckis' directorial debut, this is an extremely funny comedy about six New Jersey teens and their trip to New York to see the Beatles' performance on "The Ed Sullivan Show" on February 9, 1964, the highest viewed television event in history up to that time. It is an affectionate tribute to and parody of the excesses of Beatlemania. Other than the Beatles' own films and documentaries, this was the first film about the Fab Four.The film has a great cast of then unknowns, most of whom went on to have solid film and/or television careers such as the late Wendie Jo Sperber, Marc McClure, Eddie Deezen, Nancy Allen, Theresa Saldana and Bobby Di Ciccio. The only major cast member whose career went nowhere afterwards was Susan Kendall Newman, in spite of her A-list pedigree as the daughter of Paul Newman (who, in a nice touch, is mentioned in the film). Sperber and Deezen are a laugh riot, particularly in their scenes together. The film features nice performances from Dick Miller (one of my favourite character actors) and Christian Juttner, a very natural teen actor who gave up acting only two years later.Zemeckis directs the film skillfully and it is very well written by him and Bob Gale, the team which would later give the world "Back to the Future", my favourite film of all time. Sperber and McClure also appeared in that film as Marty McFly's elder siblings Linda and Dave. This had an influence on "Back to the Future" as McClure's character Larry Dubois is, much like George McFly, a wimpy character who discovers inner courage when he sees a man abusing the girl that he likes. Both Larry and George say, "Get your goddamn hands off her!" before punching the attacker.Overall, it's a zany, feel good comedy which perfectly captures the zeitgeist. It's a shame that the film was a flop, making less than $2 million on a budget of less than $3 million, but its failure did little damage to Zemeckis' directing career.
bernie-122
Don't believe any of the praise of this film that you see here. What an irritating piece of crap. Annoying characters, moronic plot, stupid storyline, you name it, it's got it.I should have stopped watching when I saw Spielberg's name in the beginning credits; the king of nauseating schmaltz never gets involved in anything without ruining it with his cutesy bullsh!t.It could have been funny, I suppose, in a mindless sort of way, but no, the funny bits would have needed to be stuck in between the irritating ones, and there's just no room. It isn't even funny in that quaint, dated sort of way that makes some '70s films watchable for a few laughs at least.Just inane, mindless drivel, aimed at the lowest common denominator, with IQ in the 60 and below range. Don't bother.
marangakis
I love the scene between Nancy Allen and Paul's bass. It is hysterically funny, and amazingly erotic. Beyond that, the film is a loving homage to the Beatles, to their music, to Beatlemania, and to the 1960s, generally. The hysteria of the kids, the hostility of the parents, and the desperation of so many to cash in on the new phenomenon that was the Beatles is captured hilariously, and I think, with some accuracy. Like "American Graffiti," this film has going for it a great script that is complemented by direction that is nostalgic, even sentimental, without being sappy or preachy. It also captured young and talented actors and actresses on the verge of great success.
Lee Eisenberg
As someone who never experienced Beatlmania when it first started, "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" helps me experience it as best as possible. The plot centers on some teenage girls who want to see the Fab Four on "The Ed Sullivan Show" in 1964. But the movie's highlight is geeky Eddie Deezen as Richard "Ringo" Klaus. His performance alone pretty much carries the movie. Of course, the movie's real star is the music. With all of the Beatles' songs, there's never a dull moment in the movie. Also really funny is Bobby DiCicco as Beatle-hating Tony Smerko; he has some great scenes. It's hard to believe that Robert Zemeckis started here.As an extra note, many of the cast members appeared in "1941" the next year. Needless to say, Eddie Deezen played the same sort of character.
AD
