Release Date - April 11 2024

Cert - 15,

Run-time - 1 hour 40 minutes

Directors - Kevin MacDonald, Sam Rice-Edwards

With American society pushing against John Lennon and Yoko Ono's messages of peace and love they stage the One To One concerts.

One To One builds up to the concerts of the same name which acted as John Lennon's only full live appearance after the break-up of The Beatles. At the early-morning screening I saw the documentary at the volume was room-thumpingly, seat-shakingly loud, with visuals pouring from the screen to match the energy. Every musician on stage is putting their whole self into the music and cause at hand.

The concert acts as a centrepiece and singular point encompassing both the relationship between Lennon and Yoko Ono and the more focal point of 1970s American society. Looking to settle down in New York City at the start of the decade, ready to watch TV to find inspiration for their music and messages of peace and love, the couple are met with hostility and threats of deportation over their words and actions. They're at the centre of a clash in American culture, a TV screen shows us that while a group of young people want to buy the world a Coke and sing in harmony the Vietnam War rages on.

I realised early on that I knew little about Lennon and almost nothing about Ono, aside from rumours and theories relating to The Beatles. Kevin MacDonald and Sam Rice-Edwards' documentary shows the pair in a naturalistic light. Phone calls which crop up throughout create both a smile and show two people passionate about what they believe in and the projects they work on to push them. What helps push this is the natural passion that's shown, without feeling of editing trickery from the film.

Yet, the biggest effects come through the various relationships depicted with and within America at the time. The protests and acts of activism have the effect they have because of the risk that's made clear - the titular couple are trying to look after their family whilst still pushing their causes - the concert has the thrill that it has in part because of the restoration and simple energy of the footage but also because of the collaborative and unifying feel it emits. All while making a thoroughly entertaining time.

Views of John and Yoko's relationship, theirs with American, America's with its citizens, with itself, the world and those in society all contribute to the grander portrait at hand. Coming together and blending with ease to make for an image of 70s America as seen, and reacted to, by the musicians and those around them. All making for an interesting and enjoyable documentary which is made to be seen big and loud! Not just for the highlight concert sequences, but also for the pure passion exuded by the pair at the fore of the music being performed.

Four stars