'Beats' Movie Review

One shot. That's all it took for August's life to change. He was no longer open to the world, his world in Chicago. This is until he was discovered by a man yet to discover himself. Together, they try to make their way to the top, despite their lingering pasts that want to swallow them back into misery.

Key Points

• The streets of Chicago are filled with young people. August and his 'crew' are messing around and one is peeing on the wall, demonstrating their fight against the police and racism.
• August's mother comes home to query where her son is, sends Kari, August's older sister, to bring him home.
• On the way home, the siblings discuss Kari's new development in her music, something they both heavily relate on. Bang. Suddenly, Kari is dead—in the same uniform her father died in.
• The school budget is low and students need to attend school in order to receive finances and refurbish and fund security for the school. August is on the list;he hasn't attended for month
• In an attempt to get August back into school, Romelo discovered something powerful about August and was instantly attracted. Carla, August's mother, wouldn't allow Romelo to speak to August
• But that didn't stop Romelo. He visited August again, whilst his mother wasn't home
• August trusted Romelo because they connected on a musical level. Romelo could help August to change; to step out into the world and make his music stronger and August could hep Romelo turn his life around
• Romelo, tainted by his past, disappointed many and failed. However, Romelo sacrificed a huge bonus to protect August from exploitation; wanting to give him the 'real deal'. They started something new together, after regaining back Carla's trust

Observations

Since his sister died, August is more sensitive to sound, since the last sound shattered his ears and his heart

August trusted Romelo too quickly, for someone who has issues with interacting with others, who has literally shut themselves indoors as they are too scared to face the world, is too trusting and easily allowed Romelo in. Perhaps Romelo reminds him of his father who died, Romelo is August's new father figure

There was a huge mix of old and modern mise-en-scene. The time present of the film is disrupted as the settings are unclear on what time period it is

How is Romelo able to leave work and visit August during the school day? Romelo is the head of security, his presence is important—how is he missed? His boss is his separated wife and she has Romelo on the line, willing to let him go at any point as he has disappointed her too many times. With all this, how was Romelo capable of getting away with leaving work to spend time with August?

Carla doesn't appear to speak clearly. She has a job in retail or customer service. She appears an illiterate. Perhaps this is why she is not concerned that August is at home and missing out on his education. She contributes to keeping him at home herself.

Visual presentation of August's 'masturbation station'. Brings a level of 'normality' to the teens messed up life (he's still working in some ways)

The film is focused on sound and it is created, its influences

Stereotype: Niyah (the love interest) has a big, tough, overprotective father

August, who has struggled with going outside of his shell; out of his musical world, appears to be surviving very well on the outside for his 'first time'

When August and Niyah went to the event, the room was crowded, yet no one pushed or shoved the budding couple—impossible!

August is very calm in a dark room with loud sounds and flashing lights outside his home. Why isn't he panicking, did his panic attacks stop? August usually hates uncomfortable places and loud sounds

Suddenly August is comfortable to go to prom, when he has been avoiding school for months—how is this possible for him?

The setting of Chicago presented in the film is rustic and 'alley-like', however, the police station appears modern and very much out of place with the mise-en-scene of the film

When it was prom, Niyah and he friends stood outside and took pictures, photographed by her parents. At some point, laughter was coming from the her father as he was jubilant about his 'little-girl', however, when he was shown his mouth was not moving for him to be laughing (a desired unnoticeable edit)

Clara and August put too much trust in Romelo, in the home video, the rapper said that he trusts Romelo 'with all his life', it appears true, Romelo is very trustworthy, despite being a disappointment and a fraud

At some point in the film, it was raining, this was known as the rain sound could be heard, however, was it raining? This is questionable as no rain was visible, we could not see any rain

Conclusion

This film aims to be an inspiration. The film is enjoyable, however, has an empty visual story line. The idea is interesting but this wasn't experimented with fully in the film. Good film, it was a rejoicing moment when August returned to his element. Ending song was inspiring, lets the audience know that eventually you will get things right

Cast

Khalil Everage—August Monroe

Uzo Aduba—Carla Monroe

Anthony Anderson—Romelo Reese

Ashley Jackson—Niyah

Megan Sousa—Kari