IMAGINE a world with no Beatles. It’s pretty hard to do. And yet, such is the plot of Richard Curtis’ new film.

Directed by Trainspotting and London 2012 maître d’film Danny Boyle - don’t mention 007 - Yesterday sees Himish Patel play struggling singer-songwriter Jack Malik. On waking in hospital, the morning after suffering a freak bus accident during a global blackout, Jack learns that the world has completely forgotten the Fab Four. Every tune and lyric lost to the international consciousness but preserved in one man’s mind. Jack’s dilemma? Can he ethically rise to global stardom by riding the coattails of John, George, Paul and Ringo? Here’s a spoiler: he does just that.

Yesterday could hardly call itself a Richard Curtis film without colourful characters and a romantic core and these the writer delivers well. Opposite Patel, Mamma Mia’s Lily James continues her Hollywood charm offensive on exquisite form, whilst Sanjeev Bhaskar and Meera Syal deliver as Jack’s parents Jed and Shelia. Watch too for an extended cameo for Ed Sheeran and strong comic work from the ever excellent Kate McKinnon, in the role of Jack’s steely US agent and ambassador Debra Hammer.

All in all, Yesterday chugs along on cast chemistry and sterling music. The humour is warm and sentimental journey heartfelt. It’s not a classic per se but should prove a crowd pleaser and make audiences feel alright.

Another for this week, albeit receiving only a small release, is Andrew Bujalski dramedy Support the Girls. Regina Hall is exceptional as put upon Lisa, general manager at local sports bar Double Whammies. Lisa’s tiring commitment to standing up for her employees - in the face of her own racist employer Cubby (James LeGros) - has long driven a wedge through her wellbeing but what can she do? It doesn’t help that her ‘girls’ don’t exactly make life simple.

A quietly wonderful slice of life, Support the Girls works wonders with its supremely naturalist cast to take daily happenstance a long way. As Lisa’s trials and tribulations stack up - from a burglar in the vent to more than one icky client - her external optimism remains steady. Hill, however, works into every smile and sigh a hidden world of complex emotion.

Bujalski, well known for his way with indie realism, directs all with gentle detachment but nails sublime subtle monumentality in the process. Seek it out.