Beats (II) (2019) User Reviews

Capturing The Moment

[martimusross · 6/10 · 21 May 2019]

Beats

This was a very carefully crafted movie, on the face of it is was just about two close friends growing up in 1994 on the wrong side of the tracks. When the parents of one child move away to a more affluent area the boys decide to have one last adventure and go "large" before they go down different paths.

However the writer and director want to say so much more beyond this simple idea and this is the brilliance of this movie. It explored:

1, the deprivation created by de-industrialisation following the Thatcher years and the time of new labour.

2, the nature of friendship and peer pressure.

3, social mobility of children within the UK and familial support needed to progress.

4, disaffection with society in poverty and the search for escape.

The key achievement of this movie was its capturing of 1994 in a northern town. I loved it.

Big fish little fish, cardboard box! 👍

[jasongkgreen · 7/10 · 8 May 2019]

Well, if you missed out on a rave in the 90's with MDMA (E) then this is a good attempt at the experience. A story of brotherhood and the rave culture. Some trippy effects and a really good depiction of a rave when out of it!

I enjoyed the strong cast. A few laughs, some heart swell. A sprinkle of political commentary. It is a film of its time.

I enjoyed it and can see why it has won a few awards. It had atmosphere and felt like an experience in places. One I was glad throw some mental shapes to! 👍

A great up-close and personal look into a piece of recent history that most of us know nothing about and never would have been able to appreciate had this film not been made.

[bigboybaker · 8/10 · 10 July 2019]

You'd be doing yourself a favor not to read anything regarding the plot on this one. It might turn you off and then you'd miss out on a great movie. The subject matter is one that a lot of folks might have an interest in, but it's not exactly the mainstream, so the "topic" of this film, or what it appears to be in the synopsis, may only appeal to a select group. The film is for everyone, however. It's a wonderful and well-told story about people. The film is very well-made from every aspect and it is a very impressive work. It is very good and very enjoyable.

True to life stuff.

[shads-13880 · 28 September 2019]

Brilliant film. If you weren't there, maybe not for you. The story is OK, but I can relate. The experiences in virtually every scene I'm very family with!haha. The reason I am making this comment is to commend the writer, producer etc on the atmosphere created in the actual rave scene. From spanner being off it, to the tunes, to the shooting of it. But especially the plod brutality. For people who may think the police actions were over the top, no. Police brutality was rife at the parties, I went from 89 to 93,was lifted in the biggest arrest in British history at Leeds. I saw many party goers cracked with battens because the thin blue line was told to. Good on the film makers for not shying away from the subject. Thanks for the memories! Ps. I think some of your tunes were slightly out year wise, 1990,91 not 94.just being picky though!

Hits the beat somewhere down the line

[joebloggscity · 6/10 · 3 February 2020]

A film that on a small budget that is not afraid to depict the low life sadly some of us have lived through and many still do. Growing up in the schemes can be a difficult life, and parties & raves are an escape for just even a brief night.

What we have here is a simple & not overblown look back at the rave days in 1994 (so really pre-internet) when this was the biggest thing for some kids. Wild & crazy. We have a tale we've mostly seen before, of friends about to split up as one is to move away, one is poor and the other is a little better off, step fathers, authority, loving mothers and so on. Add in crazy pals, thuggish big brother syndromes and all the rest, and we have a heady cocktail. We've seen much of it before, but still for what this is, that's no big issue.

Based on a play, it is clear that it is not deviating much from the original source material. Filmed in B&W, it's a stark film and lets the story be at the forefront. The young lead two actors are excellent and give a good heartfelt performance.

Overall a fine film, very nostalgic in many ways. It's a good watch, and the coming movies by the director & writers will be something to keep an eye out for.

Great visual experience about friendship and a specific time in the UK

[costa-83836 · 9/10 · 1 February 2019]

I saw this movie on a surprise screening at the IFFR. It was voted third by the viewers at the festival and therefore got chosen for an extra screening.

I was blown away by this film. It's almost entirely shot with a grey filter that adds to the grittiness of the Scottish town where this movie predominantly plays in. The story in itself is quite simple. but the interaction between the characters makes sure that this was movie is one of the most unique 'coming of age' experiences i've seen. The movie is full of humor in a way that feels very natural. The movie is visually beautiful in it's own gritty way. At a certain point in the way movie the style of cinematografy completely changes in a way that helps immerse the viewer in a fresh and exciting way.

I do not want to spoil the movie in any way, If you have a chance to see this movie in the cinema I would advise you to do so. The sound is amazing and brings the whole experience together. Even if you are not a fan of the genre of music (like me) this movie will probably still be amazing.

9/10.

A missed opportunity to be a total smash.

[billy-halliday · 7/10 · 17 May 2019]

I was really excited to see Beats from the day i seen the trailer. Having lived though the rave scene in the 1990s, especially 1994, and taking part in demo's against the criminal justice bill.

Two friends, from two very different backgrounds create a special bond and attending their first rave together. At the start of the movie there was a tune that i recognised instantly, but i was expecting so much more. There was a huge techno scene in Scotland in 1994 and this movie failed to capture it. The movie failed to have a full soundtrack of bands such as TTF (The Time Frequency), QFX, Ultrasonic, The Rythmic State. Huge bands in 1994 and all were missing. This was a huge opportunity to grab the audience with a superb sound system in the cinemas, where the hairs on the back of you neck stand up and flood the theatre with memories and good vibes. It didn't happen. I doubt there will be a soundtrack album, which is a missed opportunity as these tunes are still popular today with the younger generation, especially in Glasgow.

At one point in the movie where they both have taken their E, we were entertained to a few minutes breaking away from the movie and having some visual effects as well as a steel factory being blown up. It was so weird. I related it to Trainspotting, where Renton goes down the toilet after the pill. Totally weird and not really relevant to the movie. This would have been acceptable if i took an E before entering the cinema. lol

As for the actors. I had never heard of any of them before viewing beats, but everyone involved can take a bow. It was an outstanding performance from them all and i can't criticise them, as i feel it was the movie and soundtrack that let me down. I'm now a fan and will be watching out for more of their work in future.

The full movie was in black and white which i though was nothing more than try to be different for no reason. Maybe they were just trying too hard. How can you create a 90's rave movie without seeing one single yellow high vis vest or a glow stick in beyond me.

Over all. I enjoyed it, but feel lack of research let it down. I feel i got my monies worth, but only just. If only tunes like Obsession, Freedom, Soap on a Rope and maybe one of many TTF anthems included would have seen most of Scotland talking about Beats over the weekend, but It's not going to happen.

Easily the best film made about rave culture.

[torrascotia · 9/10 · 3 March 2019]

I was lucky enough to attend the UK premier of Beats which was the closing gala film at the Glasgow Film Festival 2019. Tickets sold out so fast for this film that they eventually had to accommodate four showings instead of one. There has been a buzz around this movie ever since it was publicised that they were making a film about the rave scene in the 1990s, based in West Lothian. Steven Soderberghs name was connected with the project it sounded like they were taking the music seriously. A well known face on the Scottish techno scene JD/DJ Twitch of Optimo and Pure fame was down to advise on the music. The story focuses on two friends who attempt to attend an illegal rave at the time of the Criminal Justice Bill being enforced in the UK, which made any gathering where repetitive beats were played prohibited. While the story is straightforward its the eye for detail and characters which make this film stand out. It has already been compared to Trainspotting, its about youth/music/drug/working class/Scottish culture in common. However its a very different film, the time is different, the music is different and so are the drugs. Its more similar in tone to the Irish movie Young Offenders and is shot in a way that reminded me of Rumble Fish, black and white with a few things shown in colour for contrast. Its very funny in places and the chaos of illegal drug use is well represented here. The characters are well rounded, believable and if you are from around these parts, recognisable. The cast were simply excellent. Where this film stands out is in its authenticity of showing the Scottish working class experience and the rave experience. This film will be very big in Scotland and with anyone who ever attended a rave, especially during the 90s. I was there at the time and the film makers have nailed it. I spoke to others in the audience and they agreed. Its probably the most realistic a film will get to that experience, its that well done. The soundtrack deserves a special mention as they have chosen some of the best tracks around at that time but they didn't stick to massive commercial hits all the way through. How well you know the music of the time may influence how you experience some of the scenes. The only downside of the experience was that theatre I watched it in did not have a great sound system, that would make a big difference however I will happily see it again in a multiplex once its released in May. Attending a Scottish premier usually raises mixed feelings, you want to like it but in many cases they sadly don't deliver. This is one of those rare occasions when the high expectations were met with reality. The last time that happened? Well that was Trainspotting. Highly recommended.

See you jimmy

[bogeyman786 · 6/10 · 26 July 2019]

Scotland. Glasgow. Raves. Drugs. The Prodigy. Police.

Insanely good

[muamba_eats_toast · 9/10 · 21 May 2019]

Absolutely loved every second somehow so vibrant yet in black and white. Love, laughter and great music felt connected to everyone involved throughout and left me wanting to rave the night away. Almost perfect.

Good movie, could've been great but.

[bazfloyd · 7/10 · 26 January 2021]

I liked this movie, it's one of the best attempts at capturing a great period in my life, I do feel it could've been so much better but. Despite the fact they had Twitch involved in the music side of it, I thought the music was all over the place. There's so many great tracks that would've covered that era better than what was used. Still, it was an enjoyable trip down memory lane. Good story, acting was ok, just feel it was missing a few things that could've made it a great movie.

Yassss

[tapefive · 8/10 · 4 March 2020]

Probably one of the best original Scottish films since Trainspotting. Well acted and an excellent soundtrack too.

Made me wanna drop an E, find a rave and get my 3rd degree gurn on.

A bit messy...

[casaccountingservices · 6/10 · 1 January 2020]

...and not just from the drugs

I get the director was trying to recreate a nostalgic view of the rave era. I imagine 94 was around the time that they experienced the scene, but by then the rave scene was more about the big organised events, such as the mentioned resurrection. The film seems to forget which year it's in, the music is from late 80s to mid 90s, and the main party was a depiction of the late 80s type rave, with the convoys meeting in a field somewhere. The police references and cj act were good add ins, but the whole film seemed to miss the mark, the main relationship was weird, the bit about the dealer brother didnt add anything, the characters were quite empty and you didnt really get to know them.

A shame really, as I always like a good dance/rave film, and theres not many about

Rave into the grave

[kevin c · 5/10 · 6 October 2019]

This film had all the ingredients but didn't work for me.

This is tartan Dazed & Confused territory - one last BIG night fare. And Trainspotting hangs over affairs, with one of the main characters a double-take for Spud and a PoundLand Renton in the tale.

The trouble is it chucks all the ingredients in: Criminal Justice bill, coming Blair; closing down of the mines; police brutality. But they all seem muddled (or incorrect). And many of the characters incredibly one-dimensional.

However, it ends on a tender note as two young men whose bond is strengthened through their shared love of music.

Something to rave about.

[Pjtaylor-96-138044 · 7/10 · 18 May 2019]

Comparisons to 'Trainspotting (1996)' may be easy, but they're also perhaps the fastest way of describing what this flick feels like. Make no mistake, that's a compliment. However, while 'Beats (2019)' seems steeped in the same nostalgic, alternate-coming-of-age 'fight against the system', it certainly isn't a copy of what's come before and the comparison only goes so far. That's because this deep, ironically vibrant piece takes its own cues and follows its own conceit straight to the very core, using rave culture to explore the unexpressed, somewhat inexpressible desires of its 'boxed-in' youth. In this way, its theming almost feels closer to that of 'T2: Trainspotting (2017)', as it tries to capture a forcibly failing friendship and the realisation that things will never be the same as they once were. This comparison also allows my earlier use of the term 'nostalgia' to hold a little more weight; Boyle's most recent entry looks back on the nineties in the same, albeit more overt, way that this inherently does. That's because, for all the flick's intentions of being an in-the-moment experience, it's still unavoidably a period piece and, as such, has to look back by its very nature. It does this remarkably well though, with its slight rose-tint seeming purposeful. It feels, in a way, almost like a memory. If it were to have actually released in the nineties, it would have been a different beast altogether. Perhaps then it wouldn't have seemed similar to 'Trainspotting (1996)' at all (that's the last time I'll compare the two, I promise). The piece sets itself up sort of as a slice-of-life drama, except there's immediately a driving force in the form of its central relationship. It also doesn't waste time teasing us with its focal rave. Its mix of drama and comedy becomes clear even faster. By propelling the narrative forward with a pretty fast pace, it keeps things incredibly engaging. It feels focused and full of life. It's really entertaining, to boot. It also features quite a bit of political commentary throughout, even before its premise really gets underway. This usually takes the form of televised Tony Blair speeches or protest marches taking aim at the 'Criminal Justice and Public Order Act' (essentially a 'rave ban') and it sets the scene wonderfully, both in terms of the general setting and the central conflict. The whole piece makes good use of juxtaposition and irony to really sell the reasoning behind the protest rave, putting you firmly on the side of the would-be ravers - even if they're only really going to have a good time (because, why shouldn't that be allowed?) It's not your typical 'teenage angst'-type stuff and is a good backdrop for the feature's confident but familiar friendship dynamic. This is compelling stuff, even if it hits every single beat you'd expect, which ends on a suitably bittersweet note. It's refreshingly portrayed with an unembarrassed closeness all too often balked at, as well. The feature, as a whole, is really enjoyable. It does, however, slow down considerably in its final act. When the protest rave finally starts, it just keeps going and is hampered, significantly, by an industrial-inspired, MDMA-mimicking visual sequence that's far too long and far too flashy (in the sense that it really should have come with a photo-sensitive warning). It breaks immersion, is hard to watch and, ultimately, feels pointless, an avant-garde attempt at conveying the joy of the rave that pales in comparison to the more straight-forward stuff we've just seen. After this, the film never really recovers - at least, not fully. It doesn't manage to get back to the genuine heights it had previously reached, even though it does finish off its story in an effective, almost wistful way. Generally, though, this is a great movie. If its third-act were just a little tighter, it would be nearly perfect. Still, it's fun, realistic and rather charming. It's also a little under-seen at the moment. I'd certainly recommend it. 7/10

Captures the vibe of a rave so closely you could be there

[meryljordan · 10/10 · 19 May 2019]

I think I smiled (or cried) the whole way through. The acting is superb. Heart felt. Loved it

It certainly beats the majority of films from 2019.

[domtaylor · 7/10 · 7 August 2019]

You don't need to be into, or really know anything about, rave culture to enjoy 'Beats'. Sure, it explores the 90s rave scene in great detail, but at the end of the day this is a film about friendship that everybody can relate to thanks to realistically and compellingly written and performed characters. It tells the story of two teenage best friends, Johnno and Spanner, who try to attend an illegal rave and have the best night of their lives. It sounds simple and that's because it is, but that's hardly a bad thing. Its simple premise leads to a great exploration of many themes, including moving on, the class system, police brutality, and most importantly friendship. It achieves this especially well through the relationships and interactions between the characters, who are all well rounded. This leads to a thoroughly enjoyable and engaging experience that's very well crafted. Unfortunately, however, it's let down quite a bit by its third act. Here, the filmmaking takes quite a turn and goes from being extremely naturalistic to very formalistic in an attempt to show the characters' experience. This is a rather bizarre choice, and this segment goes on for far too long, actively breaking your immersion. I understand why the filmmakers chose to do this, but they must not have realised that they were saying much more and allowing the audience to empathise with the characters by simply showing things realistically. It's a testament to the writers and performers that this effect could have easily been achieved throughout the piece, but it's a real shame that they didn't have the confidence to see it through all the way to the end without trying to further force this upon the spectators. Thankfully though, the film's denouement is more in line with the rest of the piece than the majority of the third act and wraps things up rather satisfyingly, leaving you with a good lasting impression. Overall though, it's definitely worth checking out as the large majority of it heavily outweighs the rather disappointing third act. It certainly beats the majority of films from 2019. 7/10

Fantastic film that's more than just about rave culture and E's.

[paulalliban · 9/10 · 13 May 2019]

So many well pleased themes about family, friendship, culture, class authority just to name a few. They're all woven into the narrative with real grace and class too. Everything flows so well and with loads of stellar performances from pretty much unknown actors.

Absolutely bangin soundtrack too. Defo a real highlight from 2019!

Could have been much better

[ienzel-72 · 6/10 · 30 July 2022]

If they hadn't tried to include comical notes in what is basically a drama. Perhaps if it had been really funny like in Trainspotting instead of just mildly comical (the Spanner character). Lead character Johnno goes through the entire movie looking like a rabbit in headlights and it gets on your nerves very quickly, because who does that? Okay I get that the boy is anxious, but does it have to be that over obvious? It is hard to take the serious stuff seriously because of that.

Best screen adaptation of the rave experience yet!

[mysteryman7162 · 9/10 · 2 October 2019]

I was drawn to this film, as I was heavily into the rave scene of the early 90s. As, I stated in the title of this review, this film is the most accurate portrayal of the scene yet produced. The film acknowledges that by 94 the whole rave thing was beginning to wain, but as the characters stated, it was still new and exciting to them. The juxtaposition between the grey, dullness of cinematography and the colourful montages used during the rave sequence, sum up what it was all about. This doesn't mean that all this film is is a walk down memory lane for aging ravers. Far from it, the themes are universal. The protagonists lead impoverished and dreary lives, they escape the monotony by listening to music, who cant identify with that? I won't go into the plot at all, as it's not really what the film is about. The continuity was good, the choice of music was spot on. The cast of unknowns did I really good job and the direction kept the whole thing moving forward at pace. To conclude this is a great movie about a time and place, now gone, but no forgotten.

Beats raves successional rhythms through a harsh Scottish coming-of-age drama.

[TheMovieDiorama · 8/10 · 10 May 2019]

Dark, miserable and intimidatingly frightening. But enough about Scotland, let's dive into the electronic grunge-fest that is Beats. A contemporary drama that will unfairly be compared to 'Trainspotting' just because of its location and political undertone. A comparison that should be disregarded almost immediately, as both are fine examples of character driven drama that showcase Scottish talent (other than a Deep Fried Mars Bar...). In the summer of 1994, where criminal acts are slowly being put into position, two unlikely best friends spend one last night together at an illegal rave.

The Criminal Justice and Public Order Act attempted to ban large gatherings with a specific genre of music being played out loud. "Characterised by the emission of a succession of repetitive beats". It was outlined that the nature of the music caused abhorrent behaviour amongst the ravers who listened to it. And so, with this in mind, the youths that appreciated the "rave wave" felt they were being oppressed. A political revolution that provides an underbelly for this Scottish town and Welsh's film. It may not be as outrageous as 'Braveheart's "Freedom!" stance, but it mellows the fragile melody between the two lead characters, giving them a common cause. The want to revolt.

Welsh's artistic direction fortunately does not glorify the rave scene in any way, as he shifts the narrative focus to policing officials on multiple occasions. However the main purpose of the story is the depiction of the central friendship. It's a peculiar bond, one that Welsh seemingly forces upon us unnaturally within the wobbly first act. Yet once their motives and differences are distinguished, I realised that their "bromance" is something I never knew I wanted. Spanner and Johnno exhumed true friendship in the spite of living different and precarious lives. One lives in poverty with his abusive brother, whilst the other is repressed by a family wanting to be perfect. It bounces off the reason why many raved during the hype of it all. To let go. Release.

A massive element to Welsh's drama is the music. The "choons" as it were. Surprisingly, as most will not know, my kind of music. Electronic, dance and trance. I was far too young to be swept in the rave culture (approximately a 1 year old at the time), but I understood it's purpose. Welsh's depiction of the intricately built up rave within the third act was quite simply euphoric. Introducing colours amongst a monochrome filter to represent the emotive release that these oppressed individuals have felt. An entire five minute sequence of psychedelic visuals, showing both construction and destruction, accompanied by the banging bass of trance music. Sublime. Started to become hypnotised myself.

Massive applause must be given to Macdonald. In his first feature film, straight out of drama school, he was sensational and exhumed a huge range of emotions. Honestly, he is the repetitive beat to this narrative, and his name is certainly one to look out for in the future. My only other criticism would be with the stereotypical "look where they are now" credit sequence, all too common in coming-of-age dramas. Completely unnecessary for this story, and somewhat undermined the intelligent approach that preceded it.

Putting aside these minor reservations, Beats was banging. Absolutely banging. An exhilarating character drama with an engrossing political movement that will have you tapping you feat to repetitive beats. If it's available near you, go and watch it!

Wanted this to be good

[rob_todd1 · 3/10 · 20 May 2019]

As I grew up in this culture. But it just wasn't. Boring story. Boring dialogue. Bad music. Fell asleep half way though. Good idea badly executed

Good Rave History Film

[Pairic · 8/10 · 20 May 2019]

Beats: Shot in subdued yet sharp monochrome (breaking into grainy during raves) this film tells the tale of Johnno (Cristian Ortega) and Spanner (Lorn Macdonald) living in a sink estate in in small town West Lothian. It's 1994 and Raves are about to be outlawed but that doesn't stop the polis from preemptively and violently breaking up the raves anyway. Spanner lodges with his psychotic and violent drug dealing older brother Fido, Johnno is at home with his mother but her new partner is a police constable and the family are due to move to a new home. Over one weekend Johnno and Spanner plan to attend one last rave together but they cross Fido's gang and are pursued to the Rave site.

The only colour in Beats comes during the Rave dance shots and are reminiscent of 2001: A Space Odyssey trippy scenes. Partly a coming of age drama, the boys link up with girls a couple of years older, led by Cat (Amy Manson); and also about restrictions, rave music and a commentary on the empty lives of so many young people. The underage drug use no doubt got Beats it's 18 certificate but it doesn't just glorify this abuse, the consequences are shown in a potential car crash.

But the rave scene is also a revolt against cuts and restrictions as Tony Blair blathers on the tv in the background it is easy to see why youth would choose music rather than see him as an alternative. The leader of the scene is crazed but cuddly pirate station DJ D-Man (Ron mann) looking like a young John Peel as he gives clues to the Rave location. Violent at times but always interesting even if the accents are occasionally difficult to decipher. Director Brian Welsh delivers a credible version of Kieran Hurley's stage play with the screenplay written by Welsh and Hurley. 8/10.

Sweet, heartwarming movie

[valeriobnet · 8/10 · 4 March 2019]

The movie was very enjoyable. The pace was adequate, the development and portrayal of the friendship between the two main characters heartwarming and authentic. Many positive messages spread during the movie: not all lower class people are "scum", the turmoil of many good-hearted people was shown in a great way (perhaps Kevin Mains showed the best performance in the movie, he was genuinely frightening).

The police was portrayed fairly, with the needless violence and abuse during the rave scene, although the struggle of Johnno's stepfather is clear, as well as his efforts to be a good family man in a difficult situation. The police is not dehumanized in an ACAB sort of way.

The only negative aspect for me is the soundtrack, for a movie that's centered around 90's raves and raving, there was not a whole lot of techno from those days, (for example the scene when they are on their way to the rave had some mix of reggae-like and disco music), I feel like more could have been done, but that's not to say that it made the movie not enjoyable, I am just being nit picky.

Overall really nice experience and window on Glaswegian/Scottish life from that specific time (which ties to today as well).

It's not been done by us pal... dream team and that

[jim_skreech · 8/10 · 19 March 2020]

Set in West Lothian, Scotland in 1994, Johnno (Cristian Ortega) and Spanner (Lorn Macdonald) are two teens with little control over their own lives. Spanner lives with his drug dealing bully of a brother (parents appear permanently absence) with little future prospects, whilst Johnno is pressured by his mother and police officer stepfather into conforming to the John Major-era world of normal. With the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act and Johnno's enforced move away to a suburban edge-of-town estate imminent, the two friends aim to reach a illegal outdoor rave, their first and possibly last together.

I see this already has mixed reviews, the positive ones coming from those who were out raving at the time Beats is set, just as I was. Despite the rave scene being a key musical and cultural force in the UK during the 90s, there was little representation on the cinema or TV, save for Human Traffic or Danny Boyle's productions, and the club scenes in those felt pretty flat. The rave scenes in Beats on the other hand are the most convincing I've ever seen on film, and I truly felt myself back again on the dancefloor, flashing trippy graphics and sweaty hugs. The grainy monochrome illuminated by flashes of coulour is a superb touch, and highlights how raving gave a bit of colour to people's lives. Even if I felt the first hour was a yawn, Beats would be worth watching for this reason.

The 2019 documentary, Everybody In The Place, has director Jeremy Deller explaining the free party rave scene as modern history with a group of school youths. This is a great companion piece to watch alongside Beats, as they work not just as nostalgia pieces for the over-40s, but as a bittersweet view of what we once had, but let slip due to our loss of freedom, and also our growing acceptance of bleached corporate entertainment. With nightclubs closing for property developments, and a youth disenchanted with a society that gives them fewer opportunities than ever, illegal raves have made a significant return. Beats is therefore a very timely release, a authentic view of what once was and what can be again.