The U.S. vs. John Lennon traces pop star John Lennon's metamorphosis from mop-topped singer to one of the most eminent cultural icons of the 1970s.
During that decade, his antiwar actions garnered media attention and the wrath of the Nixon administration, which persecuted Lennon by following, wiretapping and attempting to deport him.
Aside from the political story, Lennon shows the passionate, complex relationship Lennon shared with his wife, Yoko Ono. A constant catalyst for his political activities, Ono brought Lennon to his full potential as an outspoken artist and humanitarian.
The problem with The U.S. vs. John Lennon is the obvious political agenda of producer-directors Leaf and Scheinfeld. Both men are candidly anti-Nixon, anti-Bush and anti-war. They interview several liberal figures of the era, and although the leftists are adequately portrayed, only one representative from the opposing Republican side has any say in the film (Liddy, one of the Watergate scandal's famous White House "plumbers"). Liberal author Gore Vidal epitomizes this bias with his statement, "Lennon represented life, and Mr. Nixon and Mr. Bush represent death."
Despite the slanted viewpoint, the movie is a cohesive film and is very informative about Lennon. Beatles fans will love the soundtrack and the film's vivid images. Lennon will attract people of all ages and open up minds to a rich anthology of Vietnam War history and Beatles music.
