This Modern Man Is Beat (2015) User Reviews

Great watch

[lauren-95298 · 7/10 · 29 November 2023]

The short film "This modern man is beat" is a riveting short film produced and written by David Schroeder. From the amazing actors, to the intense cinematography, and engrossing music, this film keeps you entertained throughout the whole film. The story of a man trying to navigate himself in todays discriminatory society. The film shows a mans experiences while dealing with his personal relationships, such as that with his wife, and evaluating his personal life decisions. We watch as this foreign mans love for America is put to the test when it feels as though America may be against him. It is a feeling many can relate to and therefore creating a very touching story.

Unique and Interesting

[matthewsanchez-90450 · 8/10 · 22 September 2023]

This Modern Man is Beat is a unique and thought provoking short film written by my college professor. We are given a captivating perspective on this man as he goes through the supposed five stages of grief after having killed his wife after a night of one too many. Directed by Alex Merkin, we are presented the current residential environment as new and a bit unfamiliar like how it is for the protagonist, Habib, played by Jordi Vilasuso, who brings the character to a believable level and sympathetic take. The film was quite well shot, the acting was never dry or slow on anyone's part. All in all, a quite remarkable film.

Confusing Plot

[rmilford-36992 · 6/10 · 8 June 2024]

What happens in the end? It is a massive cliffhanger that I just rewatched multiple times. The plot is good. It is a good short film but leaves me upset at the end. I want to find out what happens to the man. This man is someone who is emotionally, mentally, and physically beat down and is tired of life and wants it all to stop. I think overall it is a good film, the actors are good, and the screenwriter wrote well. Next time I wish for a ending showing what happens with the man at the end of the film. This film shows how life can affect all the decisions a person can make under stress and how these decisions impact the rest or their life.

Awesome Short Film

[alxandrasantana · 10/10 · 22 July 2023]

The greatness of this film lies more in what is intimated than in what is presented. On the surface, the plot of the movie seems relatively simple: a man goes to a pawn shop to sell his guitar. However, the backstory that is only alluded to and not even seen is incredible. I've never seen a movie use negative space so effectively. The narrative is presented in little fragments, leaving the remaining details to your imagination. It began by striking the person with the appropriate emotions. How effectively the primary character was able to convey each feeling. He conveys his sorrow over his wife's memories in a way that also conveys his feeling that there is a slim chance that things will return to the way they were. The small amount of joy he experienced upon learning that he was able to sell his guitar for a little bit more money. He started to feel the weight of what had transpired, the desperation he had experienced upon realizing the police were going to arrest him.

Great suspenseful film

[kevingomez-99964 · 10/10 · 7 December 2022]

This Modern Man Is Beat, a phenomenal short film with a very good unexpected turn of events. It had stunningly beautiful and colorful scenes. The film kept me tense the whole way through. Wondering what had gotten Habib in such a depressed mood. The small hints and details throughout specific scenes not giving you the whole picture but slowly leading you to to make your own assumption of the situation. The mains characters quick development of emotions towards the end was very well curated, it had really left you with a lot to think about. I would love to watch it again and recommend this film to everyone.

Intriguing, but room for improvement + expansion

[vdavis-21162 · 6/10 · 16 February 2024]

This Modern Man is Beat is a dramatic short film featuring professional cinematography and visuals. The narrative was intriguing, with a shocking plot twist at the end. I did anticipate the plot twist correctly within the first few minutes of the film, but was satisfied with the narrative, nonetheless. I do feel as if some of the dialogue and pauses between scenes were a tad awkward or artificial - the main character, Habib bin Habin al Fulan, often spoke too little or too long. Upon exiting the motel in the first half of the movie, the camerawork showed several angles to view Habib and his surroundings with, including a dog laying on the other side of the road. The lengthy shots suggested something significant or dramatic would occur, perhaps with the dog or the area Habib was in, but nothing of note happened besides the transition to the next location. The story itself was compelling, though it lacked the backstory that I felt was necessary to truly appreciate the film. Overall, I would rate this as a quality film with a lot of room for an expanded story. Much potential for a longer, more intricate adaptation.

Thought-Provoking Film

[valdezrignak · 4/10 · 10 April 2024]

Rating: 4 Stars

Review: "This Modern Man Is Beat" is a captivating exploration of identity and cultural assimilation. The film follows the journey of a Muslim man navigating the unfamiliar terrain of beatnik culture. Through beautifully crafted scenes and genuine performances, it delves into the complexities of personal and cultural identity. While some parts of the narrative may feel disjointed, the overarching themes of belonging and authenticity resonate deeply. The cinematography adds depth to the storytelling, capturing the clash between tradition and modernity with striking visuals. Overall, "This Modern Man Is Beat" offers an engaging and thought-provoking cinematic experience that lingers in the mind long after the credits roll.

Concise but Powerful Cinematic Thriller

[cloycasseus-80784 · 10/10 · 5 April 2024]

"This Modern Man Is Beat" offers a very intriguing cinematic experience. The movie delivers an intriguing exploration of identity and cultural collision. With raw authenticity and subtle performance, it navigates themes of masculinity, religion and societal expectations. In short burst of captivating scenes, the movie delves into a fascinating exploration of identity and culture clash. Despite feeling lots of fulfillment from the narrative, the film leaves the audience with so many questions. Prompting a desire for more. A thought provoking film that stays with you long after the credits roll. Is there a part 2? If so, I would definitely watch it.

It's a Solid Shortfilm

[ul3vm · 6/10 · 10 February 2024]

I can see a lot of thought and effort went into creating this film. All the actors did great. It has some nice cinematic shots, my favorite one actually being used as the cover. At the same time, the dialogue is telling not showing. One example is the long drawn-out scene of his wife being still on the bed while Habib talks to himself. It has an abrupt tone shift from "Can you say something? Are you going to stay in bed all day?" to "You don't believe me but it's okay cause I was lying." It feels drastic because nothing happened in those 30 seconds. Unprompted, Habib overly narrates to the audience and both men at the pawn shop. His background and ethnicity give depth to the character but within the film itself, it's awkwardly stated and adds nothing. The events between Habib and his wife would be more impactful to the audience if you cut to flashbacks to hear and see what happened in real-time instead of Habib retelling it.

Guilt In This Modern Man Is Beat

[douglasperlajose · 5/10 · 30 October 2023]

"This Modern Man Is Beat" tells the story of a troubled, guilt ridden man. It is a simple yet compelling story, though it may feel cliche, its storytelling is done wonderfully so, to the point where it does not feel as just a simple retelling of an exhausted cliche. The story revolves entirely around the protagonist, and for such a short film, it makes sense. All the elements of the story are very well done and introduced, it wraps everything up nicely. I personally really enjoyed how the character's (Habib) guilt plays a huge role in the film, as it's arguably the reason the film even happens to begin with. He murders his wife, which admittedly, was more predictable than rain in a desert, but the way it affects him, feels incredibly human. He's not some psycho mastermind, just a man, and as all men do, he has flaws and a conscience, and morals, and all those elements which makes us human. Naturally, the murder was an accident, and he goes on to cope by basically living in denial, which is very well portrayed up to the point where it boils up, eating him alive, and he confesses his sin to a store clerk. Very nice film, and for like 15 minutes of actual storytelling, it's worth the watch.

Review by Emily Perez

[emily-02975 · 9/10 · 19 November 2023]

This short film had a great storyline and very vivid about their situation and what the main character is going through. What i loved about this short film is that you are immediately drawn into it. You are always interested in the main character. Throughout this film the main character is experiencing all the harsh realities of life. The use of flashbacks in this film is great because it provides us with background information. Many emotions were shown throughout the film. While watching this film you were always questioning what would happen next, keeping you on your toes. This short film was well executed.

Review and Critique

[diegocano-71840 · 5/10 · 5 April 2024]

This movie doesn't do much to steer far from your run of the mill thriller,. It has solid ideas presented and for the most part is actually well paced. For being a short film however, it could've honestly used some its time building on its characters, particularly the protagonist and/or his wife. I think if either of those characters had given me more material to care about them, all of the plots twists and structures could've landed harder. The short film excels with its acting and cinematography and those aspects I feel are the film's greatest strengths. The symbolisms in its cinematic style are also nice in its subtlety. Though the montages and muted dialogue scenes in the flashbacks I believe can be a weakness. I understand showing and not telling but sometimes these interactions can work better to serve its characters instead of appearing only as glimpses. However, for where the scenes are placed it contrasts well to the idealized daydreams he reaches for in denial. So far that lack of development and how predictable some of the story beats are, are what happen to make the film ordinary. I feel the film at best is a decent viewing if there is nothing else to watch; this film probably would work a lot better if it was a feature. With how short this film is though it should've focused on making its characters more interesting, the background info on Habib could've gone somewhere but it ultimately was just exposition. One thing that I strongly feel the film in its current state suffers from and can do without is Habib's depiction as a half Palestinian man, I can get behind him being El Salvadoran to bring a job opportunity but it does nothing for his character being an Arab. I bring this up because in a post 9/11 world, this portrayal of Arab people in villainous/violent roles is just a reflection of how wrongly perceived they are in real life. It may have not been the films' intentions but this aspect serves to reinforce western fears of "the untrustworthy middle eastern man" stereotype. If the film wanted to center around him being foreign, it can do that, but here it just feels like throw away information and feels poorly handled.

Turbulent emotions

[jesusalvarado-15580 · 10/10 · 23 July 2023]

"This Modern Man is Beat" is a powerful short film that shows different emotions throughout its duration. This short film surprisingly totally my attention from the start until its end. It tells the story of a guitarist, and his wife, showing themes of solitariness, confusion, and desperation in modern life. The protagonist's moments of despair and depression are especially shocking. The short film is full of unexpected twists that lead to a dramatic ending that nobody expected. One of the teachings that this short film showed me is the importance of believing in yourself. This was an amazing production, written by David Schroeder, it shows us a great lesson in life. I suggest it 100% to all people who like good films.

This Modern Man Is Beat Review

[stefanosbert · 10/10 · 8 April 2021]

This Modern Man Is Beat is truly a great short film, but its theme is quite saddening. The film is about Habib, the main character, who is a young man that is currently going through a lot of things in his life. He is financially not doing well because he got fired from his job three months ago and hasn't been able to find a job since, has a sign of eviction to his house, his wife is abusive because he can't be a provider to her and physically hits him, and is very depressed. Habib just wants to prove himself to his wife. Habib is a man who is going through a lot now and that's how this short film got its title of "This Modern Man Is Beat".

"An impression of poetry in motion for all generations"

[cloydinmedina · 5/10 · 9 December 2020]

This is great short film created by an amazing effort of a small talented group of professional actors and great developing crew back in 2015. The hypnotic film under 17 minutes long will have you on the edge of your seat. The film is full sounds and profound music, with every eye-catching color and romantic scenes completely sequestrated all the senses. it is easy to get lost into the storyline and get your mind blown away with the tragic emotional twist. Astonishing performance; The holistic story of a man broken man living in a world divided by cultural differences and confusion. Habib bin Habib al Fulan, (Jordi Villasuso) the submissive loving and dedicated husband whose sole purpose in his life was to cherish his wife (Sheena Colette). Fierce warrior cast from the Americas the antagonist of the story. The great dark secret that Habib and his wife share while sharing his state of denial. Turmoil and the struggle to reach out beyond the heartbreak and enormous grief in his heart. All that Habib could hope for was an attempt to reconcile his demons and return with his beloved wife. Longing to share one more moment with his beloved one. Habib attempting to pawns his guitar for fist-full of dollars, with the endeavor of a fresh start. The money would catapult new hopes and dreams for the young couple, together again. This is a great film that must be watch over and over, new twist along this great performance of splendid actors and the amazing direction of Prof. David Schroeder. The unique style of cinematography can only be contemplated as masterpiece amongst many. Congratulation to the Team for executing this fantastic film and creating this powerful impression of poetry in motion for all generations.

Great film

[marinandresd · 10/10 · 27 July 2023]

This modern man is beat is an short film about Habib bin Habib al Fulan a Ecuadorian-Pakistani man who throughout the movie tries to pawn his guitar and trying to reconcile with his wife and it seems throughout the movie as though he is struggling and at the end the viewer finds out Habib had murdered his wife and him selling the guitar was like his way of trying to reconcile with his wife overall the movie was written well and the movie is amazing with great actors and the feeling of all the emotions in each scene and the how surprised the viewer gets at the end also getting viewers a feeling to want to watch more.

Amazing short film !

[saby-33056 · 10/10 · 11 February 2024]

Is a gripping short film that delves into the psyche of a man who, left with nothing, confronts the consequences of his actions after killing his wife. Through stellar performances and evocative storytelling, it explores themes of loss, guilt, and redemption, leaving a haunting impression on viewers with its exploration of moral ambiguity and the resilience of the human spirit. It's a gripping story about guilt, loss, and redemption that captivates with its strong performances and thought-provoking themes. This film leaves a lasting impact, making viewers question morality and the human capacity for forgiveness.

This film is Fantastic!!

[angelik-90722 · 10/10 · 1 April 2024]

"This Modern Man is Beat" is a poignant and thought-provoking cinematic gem. The film portrays daily difficulties, such as stereotypes, financial problems, and moral dilemmas, both captivating and truthful. Director Alex Merkin skillfully navigates the narrative, creating moments of happiness, anger, and intense sadness. Jordi Vilasuso captures the essence of a man who undergoes various struggles and emotions, delivering an outstanding performance. Besides the fantastic performance and writing, the photography and visuals are clear and match the scene's mood, constructing a stunning masterpiece. The film is 10 out of 10 stars, from the writing and performance to the visuals and music. "This Modern Man is Beat" is a must-watch emotional exploration of human fights and experiences.

"Shocking end"

[aaranafernandezd · 9/10 · 1 April 2024]

It is an interesting film, although there's not too much dialogue but the actor Jordi Vilasuso as the main character can express his struggle with emotions. This movie grabs the audience's attention by giving us little details so that they get the same sense of desperation as the protagonist. The final scene is very shocking, and it shows the complexities that come with being a man. I recommend watching this short film since it shows the struggle of being in an abusive relationship from a man's perspective. It also addresses man's pressures of bottling up their feelings. The open resolution at the end also lets you wonder what could have happened so everyone can have a different interpretation.

One great film

[madamj · 10/10 · 16 February 2024]

This modern man is beat is a brilliant film but it needs to be seen more than once to fully appreciate it and the story it is trying to present. The format of the film focuses on more suspenseful scenery and sets rather than character's dialogues. Even though the story is cliche it was very well done and interesting, it makes me feel engaged to find out why Habib was in this predicament but also letting us the viewer come to the conclusion ourselves rather than telling us. I would say this is a fantastic movie and I recommend it to anyone that would enjoy a thoughtful but impactful film. I just wish it was longer.

Great film

[diazpaulas · 10/10 · 17 February 2024]

The movie surprised me a lot since I didn't imagine it would be like this. Apart from that the whole time was very confusing, I never knew what was happening until the end. Throughout the movie I was very attentive trying to figure out what was happening or what was going to happen, I also tried to guess what was happening but in the end it was like wow I didn't see that happen. I also liked that it allows the audience to think about what is going to happen and what the ending is going to be, because it is something different from other movies where you basically already know how it is going to end. I give it 10, I liked it a lot, it had a bit of suspense, the theme, the setting, I feel like everything fits together well and gave a great touch to this film. Seriously, for having been a very short movie, it was one of the best I've ever seen.

Amazing Suspenseful film

[estefaniacastillo-68026 · 10/10 · 4 April 2024]

I was incredibly impressed with the short film, it doesn´t let you get up from your seat and leaves you waiting for what will happen. The actors made art, it is a story that captures you and leads you to all kinds of mixed feelings where what you least expect is the outcome. I enjoyed watching this film because it had such an interesting ending. The plot was heartbreaking, cruel, and loaded with a lot of anguish I would love to watch it again and recommend this film to everyone.

I can say that this film is a powerful short film that shows different and sad emotions throughout its duration. I loved the story.

Reconcile Vs Acceptance

[nathaliebarrios-55055 · 9/10 · 30 November 2023]

I have never seen a breath taking short film like " This Modern Man is Beat." At first i was a bit lost but that made me rewatch it again, which made more sense as I rewatched. I loved its format, the way they included more scenery than dialogue. The actor who played Habib, did an amazing job, expressing, and getting into character to develop his grief and trying to make his way out of his beaten life. The flashbacks made it more interesting for me because it made me questionable. The tension between Habib and his wife was something unreal, his wife was abusive towards him, because couldn't provide for her. Habib struggled to be a better person but the tragic ending was not expected. It all made sense at the end when Habib expressed himself, bringing back what was shown at the beginning. If you are looking forward in seeing a short film, I recommend "This Modern Man is Beat' which will leave you asking for more.

A gripping story

[danialvarezinsua · 8/10 · 8 April 2024]

This 17-minute-long film is enough to see the devastation that the main character, a foreigner called Habid, suffers due to lack of money to pay for the rent of the motel where he lives with his wife. The contrast between their tender happy moments of the past and the present tough ones that they go through comes to the foreground by a very good use of light. The loneliness and emptiness that the quiet desert portraits work as a backdrop of this man's lack of multiples resources to bring their lives back to normalcy. Unable to control his wife in one of her hysterical outbursts of anger and rage, he goes to the extreme of taking her life. He is too blind and desperate to see that there is always hope and a way out for people's helplessness. He returns to the pawn shop ready to accept whatever is offered for his guitar. To his surprise, the owner of the shop tells him that at that moment he is in luck because now his guitar is worth more money. Moreover, he is also given a job vacancy form to fill in. However, now it is too late. A police officer opens the door and aims his gun at him. With very little action involved, this short film highlights a bunch of feelings and emotions that ultimately convey what human beings are subjected to when torn by extreme situations.

Awesome

[alarconruth · 10/10 · 5 April 2024]

"This Modern Man is Beat" is a fascinating film that offers an introspective look at the human condition and the search for identity. Its minimalist style and solid performances make it memorable, although its ambiguous narrative and its slow rhythm may not be to the liking of all viewers. In its captivating narrative, the film manages to immerse the viewer in a journey of self-discovery and reflection on the complexities of modern life, offering a deep exploration of existential themes with solid performances and a unique visual style. Without a doubt, "This Modern Man is Beat" is a thought-provoking cinematic experience that will leave a lasting impression and spark meaningful conversations about life and identity.