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The John Lennon biopic ‘Nowhere Boy’ has received critical praise after debuting at the 53rd London Film Festival.

The film, which is the debut feature from artist Sam Taylor Wood, tells the story of the future Beatles’ teenage years. Newcomer Aaron Johnson takes on the title role and there is an impressive supporting cast, including Anne-Marie Duff as Lennon’s mother Julia, Kristin Scott-Thomas as Aunt Mimi and David Morrissey as Julia’s partner. The role of Paul McCartney is played by Thomas Sangster, who is best remembered as the little boy in ‘Love, Actually’.

Aaron Johnson as teenage John Lennon

Written by Matt Greenhalgh (‘Control’) and based on Julia Baird’s ‘Imagine This: Growing Up with My Brother John Lennon’, the film commences in 1955 with a 15-year-old John Lennon living with his conservative Aunt Mimi. In this period John reconnected with his mother and the film explores the friction this caused with his Aunt Mimi and the impact of this relationship on his musical ambitions.

Critic, Sandra Hebron, says:

“Decidedly a love story rather than a John Lennon biopic, Nowhere Boy nevertheless provides a wealth of imaginatively presented insights into what fuelled his musical genius.

It’s great credit to Sam Taylor-Wood that she has made a film of broad appeal while retaining an assured authorial signature. Her experience of working with actors in her previous film and photographic work pays off, with tremendous performances from all the key cast, and her collaboration with cinematographer Seamus McGarvey gives the film a visual beauty which underscores its considerable emotional heart.”

Nowhere Boy trailer

The film will go on general release in December, so look out for it.