‘One to One: John & Yoko’ Premieres, Offering a Complex Portrait of Lennon and Ono’s 1970s Activism
Kevin Macdonald’s documentary, now showing in IMAX, blends archival innovation with a focus on the couple’s political and artistic efforts during a turbulent era.
- The film explores John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s early 1970s New York City period, highlighting their activism, artistic collaboration, and personal struggles.
- Innovative archival techniques, including TV clip collages and unreleased phone recordings, immerse viewers in the cultural and political climate of 1972.
- The centerpiece is the One to One concerts at Madison Square Garden, organized to benefit children at Willowbrook State School after its abusive conditions were exposed.
- Critics are divided, praising the vivid concert footage and historical depth but criticizing the fragmented narrative and overwhelming montage style.
- Sean Ono Lennon describes the documentary as an intimate and candid connection to his father, offering new insights into Lennon and Ono’s motivations and partnership.
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