Across the Universe
When young dockworker Jude leaves Liverpool to find his estranged father in the United States, he is swept up by the waves of change that are re-shaping the nation. Jude falls in love with Lucy, who joins the growing anti-war movement. As the body count in Vietnam rises, political tensions at home spiral out of control and the star-crossed lovers find themselves in a psychedelic world gone mad.
The film disappointed at the box office against its mid-range budget of $45.0M, earning $29.6M globally (-34% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its unconventional structure within the drama genre.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Across the Universe (2007) reveals meticulously timed narrative architecture, characteristic of Julie Taymor's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 13 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.2, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Jude
Lucy Carrigan
Max Carrigan
Sadie
JoJo
Prudence
Dr. Robert
Mr. Kite
Main Cast & Characters
Jude
Played by Jim Sturgess
A working-class Liverpool shipyard worker who travels to America and falls in love with Lucy while navigating the turbulent 1960s.
Lucy Carrigan
Played by Evan Rachel Wood
An upper-middle-class American student who becomes radicalized by the Vietnam War and anti-war activism.
Max Carrigan
Played by Joe Anderson
Lucy's brother, a carefree college student who drops out and is later drafted into the Vietnam War.
Sadie
Played by Dana Fuchs
A charismatic rock singer and landlord who embodies the freedom and creativity of the 1960s counterculture.
JoJo
Played by Martin Luther McCoy
A guitarist from Detroit who joins Sadie's band after fleeing racial violence and finding community in Greenwich Village.
Prudence
Played by T.V. Carpio
A young cheerleader from the Midwest who runs away to New York after realizing her sexuality, searching for acceptance.
Dr. Robert
Played by Bono
A psychedelic guru figure who introduces characters to mind-expanding experiences and counterculture philosophy.
Mr. Kite
Played by Eddie Izzard
A flamboyant circus promoter and ringmaster who represents the surreal, carnivalesque aspects of the 1960s.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (2% through the runtime) establishes Jude works in Liverpool shipyards, singing on the docks. His ordinary world is working-class England, dreaming of something more while surrounded by industrial routine.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 15 minutes when Jude decides to travel to America to find his father, a GI he's never met. This decision disrupts his ordinary world and sets the story in motion.. At 11% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 32 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Jude meets Lucy at Thanksgiving and they share an immediate connection. He chooses to stay in America, moving to New York City with Max to pursue art and this new relationship., moving from reaction to action.
At 67 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Max is drafted into the Vietnam War. The stakes raise dramatically as the war intrudes on their bohemian paradise. This false defeat shows that they cannot escape the political reality around them., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 98 minutes (73% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, During a violent protest, Jude sees Lucy in danger and tries to intervene. Their relationship collapses in an explosive argument about priorities - love versus the movement. Jude is arrested and faces deportation., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 106 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Jude realizes that love is worth fighting for and that he must take action. He decides to return to America and fight for Lucy, synthesizing his artistic passion with active choice., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Across the Universe's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Across the Universe against these established plot points, we can identify how Julie Taymor utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Across the Universe within the drama genre.
Julie Taymor's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Julie Taymor films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.3, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Across the Universe takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Julie Taymor filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more Julie Taymor analyses, see Frida.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Jude works in Liverpool shipyards, singing on the docks. His ordinary world is working-class England, dreaming of something more while surrounded by industrial routine.
Theme
Jude's mother speaks about finding what you're looking for and the importance of following your heart, establishing the theme that love and personal connection matter amid life's chaos.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to multiple characters and settings: Jude in Liverpool, Lucy in suburban America dealing with her boyfriend going to Vietnam, Max at Princeton. The 1960s world is established through music and visual style.
Disruption
Jude decides to travel to America to find his father, a GI he's never met. This decision disrupts his ordinary world and sets the story in motion.
Resistance
Jude arrives in America, meets Max at Princeton, and they bond. He debates what to do next - return home or stay. Max becomes a guide figure, introducing Jude to American life and eventually to Lucy.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Jude meets Lucy at Thanksgiving and they share an immediate connection. He chooses to stay in America, moving to New York City with Max to pursue art and this new relationship.
Mirror World
Jude and Lucy begin their romance in Greenwich Village. Lucy represents the thematic counterpoint - she becomes increasingly drawn to political activism while Jude focuses on personal artistic expression.
Premise
The bohemian promise of 1960s New York. Jude and Lucy's romance blooms, Max parties and avoids responsibility, they meet Sadie and JoJo, experience psychedelic adventures. The fun and creative freedom of the era.
Midpoint
Max is drafted into the Vietnam War. The stakes raise dramatically as the war intrudes on their bohemian paradise. This false defeat shows that they cannot escape the political reality around them.
Opposition
Lucy becomes increasingly involved in anti-war activism. Jude feels abandoned as she devotes more time to protests and radical organizer Paco. Max suffers in Vietnam. Political conflict drives wedges between the characters.
Collapse
During a violent protest, Jude sees Lucy in danger and tries to intervene. Their relationship collapses in an explosive argument about priorities - love versus the movement. Jude is arrested and faces deportation.
Crisis
Jude is deported to England, separated from Lucy. Both process their loss - Jude through isolation and art, Lucy through continued but hollow activism. Max returns from Vietnam traumatized. Dark night of separation and despair.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Jude realizes that love is worth fighting for and that he must take action. He decides to return to America and fight for Lucy, synthesizing his artistic passion with active choice.
Synthesis
Jude returns to New York and creates a rooftop art installation to win Lucy back, expressing his love publicly and artistically. He combines his personal artistic vision with grand romantic gesture.
Transformation
Lucy sees Jude's rooftop message and they reunite in an embrace. The closing image shows them together on the rooftop, having chosen personal love while acknowledging the chaotic world around them - transformed from separated idealists to committed partners.