NOWHERE BOY: KICKS ASS

John: Why couldn't God make me Elvis?
Julia: 'Cause he was saving you for John Lennon!

There are not many times when I would describe a movie chronicling John Lennon's formative years the birth of what would be the Beatles as "kick ass" except for the fact that the actor who plays John Lennon was indeed Kick Ass himself. Although, as John Lennon, he did kick ass. Aaron Johnson portrays an adolescent John Lennon growing up with his Aunt (Kristin Scott Thomas) in Liverpool. He finds out that his mother who is a bit unstable lives very nearby and he tries to mend the relationship with her. There are many traumatic events in Lennon's early life and at times he is shown to be a bit of an ass. I don't think anyone could have done this film and gotten away with out some criticism. I think that the director was right in casting not for the looks but for the actor's ability to portray their character. Kristin Scott Thomas does an amazing job as aunt Mimi, having to be both stern and loving at the same time. Anne Marie Duffe plays Lennon's biological mother , Julia, who is a free spirit and a little mentally unstable. Beatle enthusiasts most likely will pick this film apart, however I too am Beatle friendly, and I thought they did a very respectful job with this film.