DVD Review | Beat
Written by: Kage Alan

We don't often hear how drastically a film changes from conception to
execution to editing to finished product.  There will be murmurs and whispers
in the background, but rarely a full-fledged confession.  Then too, there are
exceptions.  Take "Beat" for instance.  Director Gary Walkow wanted to make a
film that reflected events as close as he could get them to original events
about the life of writing icon William S. Burroughs.  In order to achieve
this, the film was thoroughly researched and sequences were shot near some of
the actual locations where Burroughs and his wife lived and/or visited.

After a brief introduction to a group of characters in college and a murder
that occurs at that time, "Beat" picks up some years later with William S.
Burroughs (Kiefer Sutherland, "24"), his wife Joan (Courtney Love, "200
Cigarettes") and their two children living in Mexico City.  She's very
unhappy that he's leaving on vacation with one of his male lovers while she
remains stuck at home.  Yes, oddly enough, Joan has come to terms with her
husband's sexuality.  Fortunately, some old friends of theirs, Lucien Carr
(Norman Reedus, "Blade II") and Allen Ginsberg (Ron Livingston, "Office
Space"), are on their way from New York to visit for a short time.

What unfolds during each of their respective "vacations" is William's
unhappiness with what he is and isn't getting out of his marriage to Joan and
affair with Lee (Sam Trammell, "Autumn In New York") while Joan deals with
her desire for more out of life than what she has.  Lucien lets his feelings
for her emerge while Allen copes with his unrequited love for Lucien.  It's
the oddest damn bunch of people and issues, especially since Lucien killed a
gay man for making an advance on him, but it gets stranger yet.  Lucien and
Allen soon leave to go back to New York and William comes home, none of them
able to change their current paths in life.  Nobody is getting what they want
or need and as the stress levels continue to rise, tragedy is just a
heartbeat away.

For a modestly budgeted production, "Beat" boasts some excellent
cinematography and a very able cast.  Despite the sequences that were
scripted and never shot or shot and never used, the film moves along fairly
well (if not a bit disjointed at times) and doesn't overstay it's rather
short 80 minute running time.  It's not a clear-cut linear story with lots of
extraneous dialogue.  If anything, the dialogue carries a great deal more
weight than the number of words coming out of their mouths would suggest. 
One thing that really struck me is how William wants to be physically close
to Lee, yet is for the most part rejected.  Joan wants to be close to
William, yet he rejects her in the same manner and doesn't see he's hurting
her the same way he has been hurt.  Something has to give and it finally
does.

Lions Gate has released "Beat" in a better Widescreen transfer than I would
have expected.  There are a few specs and flecks, but that's minor
considering how beautiful some of the scenic moments look.  The Dolby Stereo
audio stands up quite nicely and boasts a wonderful score by Ernest Troost
that helps elevate several key moments.  As for extras, the major one here is
an audio commentary by Director Gary Walkow and co-editor Steve Vance. 
They'll tell you about all the scenes that weren't shot, the ones that were
shot multiple times, the ones they made up on the spot to shoot and how it
all ended up getting edited or axed.  They do a fairly decent job pointing
out the strengths and weaknesses of the film as well as some
behind-the-scenes anecdotes.  Other than that, there are some trailers and a
still photo gallery.

Reaction to "Beat" is most likely going to be mixed.  I didn't know what to
expect going into the film, but I was able to keep an open mind and actually
appreciate what the production team was trying to get across.  Not everybody
will, though, and the film may appear tedious, pointless and other various
adjectives that describe their unhappiness.  I wonder what "Beat" says about
human nature.  It dares us to make assumptions, but I'm going to hold off on
saying what I think those are just yet.  Perhaps it's best that you arrive at
your own conclusions.

Film Rating: B+
DVD Special Features: B+

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