Is The U.S. vs. John Lennon on your Fort Myers real estate? David Leaf’s provocative documentary from 2006 examines the icon’s involvement in peace efforts throughout the 1960s and ‘70s. The piece details Lennon’s personal growth from musician to antiwar activist. It also examines the U.S. government’s ongoing and futile attempts to chase John out of the country and silence him. His civil rights messages were labeled “divisive” and threatening to President Richard Nixon’s reelection agenda. And the figureheads certainly didn’t appreciate a long-haired hippie rocking the boat.
The extremely thorough movie begins with the man’s departure from the charming Beatles, adapting a witty identity as a solo artist and a campaigner for world harmony. Exploiting his global fame, John staged high-profile protest concerts, a humane bed-in, and in national TV appearances Dick Cavett and Philadelphia-based Mike Douglas.
Yoko Ono collaborated on and officially endorsed the project, despite her limited commentary used. The U.S. vs. John Lennon features interviews with several big names politicians and celebrities, such as Carl Bernstein and Walter Cronkite. Radical rabble-rousers of the era, including John Sinclair and Born on the Fourth of July’s Vietnam vet Ron Kovic, also share their opinions on the agencies’ uncouth procedures for dealing with the rock star. Neither Sir Paul McCartney nor Ringo Starr contributes interviews, but they are seen briefly performing with George Harrison and John.
The archival footage, sharing John’s views on life, love, and various other subjects are undoubtedly the greatest feature for Beatles fans. However, the film is not completely satisfying, as no new data is presented to consumers. Most of the information and a considerable amount of facts can be easily accessed in Jon Weiner’s book from the year 2000, Gimme Some Truth: The John Lennon FBI Files.
Folks with homes for sale in Fort Myers will love the film’s soundtrack. The sarcastic “Working Class Hero” is a self-portrait of a cynical John. He explains that his dreams have come true, but he has realized that his dreams were merely illusions. John also criticizes societies’ classes, as well the media for commercializing sexuality and drugs in the song. Perhaps the most widely revered of all his singles, “Imagine” is his quest for world peace. “God” is John’s explicit exposition of his outlook of the world in 1970, just two months before the Beatles officially broke up. He offers a list of concepts and false idols in which he no longer believed in. “I don’t believe in Beatles” is perhaps the most notable verse. The song concludes with his cold statement of faith in himself; “I just believe in me.”
The U.S. vs. John Lennon places its tragic hero in the robes of glory, martyrdom, and awe. The movie received a PG-13 rating due to its violent content, such as newsreel footage of rioting and warfare, as well as occasional profanity and drug content in its 96 minutes. Now you get to decide if The U.S. vs. John Lennon belongs in your Fort Myers luxury home?
Check out this video of one viewer walking along the beach and giving her personal opinions of The U.S. vs. John Lennon:
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