Dead Beat

Movies like "Dead Beat" stick out for their mediocrity. This is a film which establishes its main character Kit as a truly larger than life legend of sorts. Kit is given a brilliantly colorful world to come alive and is surrounded by highly competent actors to help. However, somewhere after his grand introduction, it starts to increasingly feel as if the movie is falling short of the sheer bigness the story requires.

Kit is played by the devilishly handsome Bruce Ramsay, who isn't given the meaty role he should have been able to run with. Instead, the character teeters on the edge of boldness when he should be brimming with life. I did like the idea of the Kit, though. He is a super-cool Elvis fanatic who intoxicates a whole town with his magical confidence and other-wordly charm. His face is so layered with makeup that he resembles something of a walking Ken doll, which is a perfect indication of the hollowness his charisma is compensating for. Ultimately, "Dead Beat" is about the dark side and eventual decay of an almost mystical small-town legend. Like his hero who held American culture in the palm of his hand only to disappear in heartbreaking tragedy, Kit loses himself amongst public adoration and personal despair.

This is the first and only movie by Adam Dubov. If only he had the confidence of his leading man! Dubov seems too cautious to harness such a bold story. He misses the mark on many scenes which should have been pushed to their fullest in terms of style and humor. Some scenes are just plain badly directed. Take the introduction of Kristen (played by the sexy Natasha Gregson Wagner) , the girl who ruins Kit, for example. She pulls a malicious prank on a lifeguard at a public pool, a scene which gives exposition to the only girl in town who could lead to Kit's downfall. The scene should have been classic, but is confusing and unfunny due to oblivious direction. Also, the movie builds up to what should have been a heart-wrenching climax. By the time it comes, the audience is too confused to know what to think about (or care about) an event which should have been riveting and extremely sad. A very well-written voice over ends the film, and serves as a reminder that this could have been a poignant and unforgettable film.

There are many recommendable values of the movie that also give hint to the fact that it could have been much greater. The production design is a knockout, especially considering the small budget. The world created for Kit is vibrant, appropriately archaic, detailed and original. There is an excellent use of color which gives the movie a romantic comic strip feel and breathes life into the constantly dull scenes. The supporting cast are talented and thankfully watchable. I loved Balthazar Ghetty's understated, grounded interpretation of Kit's somber sidekick Rudy. Natasha Gregson Wagner is pitch perfect as Kristen, using the character's bratty personality for humor instead of irritation.

"Dead Beat" deserves a bolder director. It is entertaining enough due to its few saving graces, but only amounts to a glimpse at a film that could have been an indie classic.

(2 out of 4)

I have always assumed that movies like Dead Beat, Cry Baby, But I'm a Cheerleader, Psycho Beach Party, etc. were part of the teen pulp genre mocking much of the exaggerations of the 1950s rebel without a cause or teenage confidential kind of films. And, usually, the story entails not only probing satire, but also murder. In the case of Dead Beat, it is taken to a point that suddenly, this already-bizarre black comedy becomes even more eerie. There are much fewer moments of true hilarious stupidity like you might find in something like Psycho Beach Party, and so potential viewers should already expect Dead Beat to be much weirder and far more off-beat, especially considering the story and some very eerily annoying characters. Then again, it's based on the story of Charles Shmid (see the film trivia).

Set in a small town in the New Mexico desert, Rudy (Balthazar Getty) is new in town after his mother's transfer (for asthmatic reasons). Life is pretty boring there until he befriends the town Casanova, Kit (Bruce Ramsay who eerily resembles Richard Grieco) who seems to have it all: his own place, a hefty allowance, leisurely employment, and any girl he wants. But basically everything about Kit is a facade, and you can never be too sure if you can believe the things he says and does. The shaky charade entertains us for the first half of the movie as Rudy narrates Kit's assorted adventures with the neighborhood girls. And then things become seriously strange when Kirsten Beidermier (Natasha Gregson Wagner) enters the picture. Kit picks up with her, I suppose momentarily he falls in love with her, and little by little, she begins to destroy the perfection of Kit's facade, and that of course, leads to big trouble for all.

Dead Beat is an offbeat black comedy for sure, but one that fans of the revivalist pulp genre, and all it's cult favorites therein, may enjoy.

Great Film. This movie is dead on. Everything except the names and location(says it takes place in New Mexico but the true story of Charles Schmid(aka Kit) took place in Tucson, AZ) is true and based on fact. The things that may seem funny or "dark comedy" actually happened. Yes, even the dream sequences that the real life person suffered from. It's all true, and that is why this is such a great film. Bruce Ramsay was the best, great performance, definitely his greatest achievement yet. Also, a little unknown fact: There are deleted scenes out there somewhere. One known of from the picture on the back of the original VHS release is the recreation in the film of the real event of Charles Schmid(Kit)unearthing the skull of his first victim after being arrested. Can you say DVD anyone???????????? Please, this desperately needs to be on DVD!

Dead Beat can't decide whether it's a serious film about disturbed youth and murder or a campy period piece ala Cry Baby. There's too much emphasis on period detail, much of which is inaccurate anyway--always a distraction for me in films of this sort. The film looks good and aspires to profundity but ultimately is another empty Hollywood look at juvenile delinquency.

Bruce Ramsay is terrific as Kit, the charming, manipulative, desert playboy, who hides some well hidden skeletons. His enormous ego is padded with beer can lifts in his boots, layers of makeup, and zero tolerance of rejection. Kit's favorite sport is playing his numerous ladies for fools. Eventually he meets his match in Kristen (Natasha Gregson Wagner), who manages to turn the tables on Kit, with disastrous results. The story is told through the eyes of Rudy (Balthazar Getty), who is a friend, and "born follower" of Kit. The soundtrack of 60s music is impressive, and the 50s/60s cars are great. If you enjoy quirky characters who behave irrationally, "Dead Beat" is your movie. - MERK