‘One to One: John & Yoko’ Revisits Lennon and Ono’s Post-Beatles Activism and Artistry

The IMAX documentary explores the couple’s creative and political evolution, reframing Ono’s public image and showcasing restored footage from their 1972 Madison Square Garden concert.

The documentary focuses on John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s 18-month journey in the early 1970s, anchored by their 1972 Madison Square Garden benefit concert, which raised $1.5 million for children with mental disabilities.
Director Kevin Macdonald uses restored archival footage, unreleased phone recordings, and recreated intimate settings to immerse viewers in the couple’s personal and activist lives.
The film challenges the long-held myth that Yoko Ono was responsible for breaking up the Beatles, reframing her as a strong, independent artist central to Lennon’s political awakening.
Set against the sociopolitical backdrop of the Vietnam War and Nixon-era America, the documentary examines how television and media influenced the couple’s activism and art.
Critics highlight the film’s innovative nonlinear storytelling and its ability to humanize Lennon and Ono, though some note a lack of exploration into certain personal aspects of their relationship.