Beats

 

Beats 2019

• Director: Brian Welsh
• Based on the book: no
• Cast: Cristian Ortega, Lorn Macdonald, Neil Leiper
• Personal “oh yeah him/her” reaction, i.e. have seen this actor in:
• Lorn Macdonald – The World’s End
• Neil Leiper – The Angel’s Share
• Why? Possibly interesting
• Seen: 10 October 2023                     

             Two Scottish lads, Johnno (Ortega) and Spanner (Macdonald), love rave music but this is the 90s and rave gatherings have just been outlawed.

       Johnno is timid and inhibited. His stepdad seems a decent sort but he’s a police constable. Spanner is cheeky, rebellious, a trouble-maker, with a cruel and criminal brother Fido (Leiper).

       In a desperate attempt to break all the rules and achieve magic, they steal money from Fido and run off to an illegal rave party.

       It’s social realism at its grimmest but it’s also a tender and sometimes humorous portrait of teen angst and the vital role of music for rebellion and identity for every generation.

 4* of 5