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Several students gather at the apartment of Joan Volimer (Courtney Love) to smoke, drink and experiment with drugs. Amoung them, William S. Bourroughs (Kiefer Sutherland), Lucian Carr (Norman Reedus) and Alan Ginsberg (Ron Livingstone). Lucian and Alan are planning an illegal liquer run. Dave the gay hanger-on-to-the-scene invites himself along and leaves alone with Lucian after Alan is called away following a phone call. Lucin returns without Dave in blood-stained clothing and admits to killing Dave in a rage over his homosexual advances. As the story unfolds we see that behind every great man or woman there lives are far from simple.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
I will openly admit that I don't know a lot about the Beat poets -- romantic or classical poets are more my type.
So I don't know EVERYTHING that is wrong with "Beat," a movie that chronicles the dramatic crumble of William Burroughs' marriage to Joan Vollmer. But I do know what the movie's problems are -- the acting is patchy, the story meanders, and it's hard to care about the dying marriage of two people who don't even share the screen for most of the movie.
Two years ago, William Burroughs (Kiefer Sutherland) and his common-law wife Joan Vollmer (Courtney Love) helped Lucien Carr (Norman Reedus) after Carr killed a hanger-on who had sexually assaulted him. Now Carr is back, and he's apparently in love with Joan but not sure if he wants to also bring along her kids.
So while Burroughs goes on a vacation with a boyfriend, Joan impulsively goes off with Carr and Allen Ginsberg (Ron Livingston), and begins to seriously consider leaving her husband. Of course, it inevitably leads to tragedy... and since they show it in the very first scene, I'll just say that it involves a "William Tell act."
Anyone hoping for a cinematic dash of beat flavor is going to cry after they see this movie -- the beat movement and their work is barely touched on. It's like the producers heard, "Real life accidental death/possible murder by famous figure!" and decided to make a movie about it without knowing much about any of the people involved.
In fact, most of the movie is a slow, rather dreary trip through the Mexican forests, where people talk and occasionally kiss; and we have some brief glimpses of Burroughs trying to cuddle his boyfriend in a dingy bedroom, as well as sepia-toned flashbacks.... Read more ›
So I don't know EVERYTHING that is wrong with "Beat," a movie that chronicles the dramatic crumble of William Burroughs' marriage to Joan Vollmer. But I do know what the movie's problems are -- the acting is patchy, the story meanders, and it's hard to care about the dying marriage of two people who don't even share the screen for most of the movie.
Two years ago, William Burroughs (Kiefer Sutherland) and his common-law wife Joan Vollmer (Courtney Love) helped Lucien Carr (Norman Reedus) after Carr killed a hanger-on who had sexually assaulted him. Now Carr is back, and he's apparently in love with Joan but not sure if he wants to also bring along her kids.
So while Burroughs goes on a vacation with a boyfriend, Joan impulsively goes off with Carr and Allen Ginsberg (Ron Livingston), and begins to seriously consider leaving her husband. Of course, it inevitably leads to tragedy... and since they show it in the very first scene, I'll just say that it involves a "William Tell act."
Anyone hoping for a cinematic dash of beat flavor is going to cry after they see this movie -- the beat movement and their work is barely touched on. It's like the producers heard, "Real life accidental death/possible murder by famous figure!" and decided to make a movie about it without knowing much about any of the people involved.
In fact, most of the movie is a slow, rather dreary trip through the Mexican forests, where people talk and occasionally kiss; and we have some brief glimpses of Burroughs trying to cuddle his boyfriend in a dingy bedroom, as well as sepia-toned flashbacks.... Read more ›
Despite all the dislikes of this movie, I actually really liked it. It does have a lot of flaws and was far from my favourite movie, but it was good. The acting was amazing and the story's decent (If you like that kinda stuff.)Not to mention the fantastic and deep ending.
By raven_guest
Amazon Verified Purchase
I love Norman Reedus. I adore him. I even think Courtney Love has done some wonderful acting. This film is awful. It's boring, pointless and I gave up half way through due to how dull it was. None of the characters are likable, I didn't empathise with any of them and Kiefer's accent just made me laugh. Avoid! x
By Kathy Apple
Amazon Verified Purchase
Again - I only bought this film because I'm a fan of Norman Reedus (from watching BDS and TWD). I must admit though - I was fairly surprised at how much I enjoyed it. I thought Courtney Love was particularly good as was Reedus himself. I mean - I wouldn't go so far as to hand out Academy Award nominations but for me it was pretty good value for money. If I had to pin-point anyone for bad acting - it would have to be Kiefer Sutherland (who I normally can find no fault with) - he was just the worst player in this. In fact - he was pretty awful!
My main problem was with the dvd itself - the sound went 'in-and-out' at times!
My main problem was with the dvd itself - the sound went 'in-and-out' at times!
1 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By The Critic
I watched this last night because I`m a bit of fan of Courtney Love...she was great in Julie Johnson...but only OK in this.
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