Beats

This is an incredible movie. A young reclusive kid with a lot of talent overcomes the trauma of being struck by the bullet that killed his sister. A down and out music manager with a shady past discovers the kid and himself in this emotionally driven music drama. I grabbed my own keyboard and started playing as I watched the creative processes shown in this film. Bangers all day on the soundtrack. This one for the library

It was such a good movie. It's full of great music and beats. If you love music you must watch it you won't regret it.

I liked the plot and the look of the movie, but it felt kind of empty. Acting wasn't horrible, but not particulary good either. The story never really took off, there were no "wow moment" or anything to be really emotionally moved by. Not the story, no charactors, no happenings or developments.

Easy to follow and could work as a movie for a sleepy evening, but nothing you will remember basically.

There have been a few reviews that mention the lack of cinematic climax: don't let that put you off watching what is essentially an excellent film.

August is a 17 year old boy who has become a recluse after witnessing the murder of his big sister. He suffers from anxiety and panic attacks and disappears into creating beats as a means of escape. He is accidentally discovered by a down-on-his-luck music producer Romelo Reese who has resorted to working as a school security guard at the school where his estranged wife is principal.

The core of this story revolves around August and Romelo's unlikely relationship as Romelo attempts to get August to break free of the trauma of his sister's murder, while Romelo attempts to right the wrongs of his own past.

The story lacks the big Hollywood climax that film audiences will be used to but weaves a story worth telling. Dubbed an "ode to Chicago's south side" and the music which is synonymous with its environment, it really is a personal story of how the hardship, violence and fear affect one individual and just how difficult it is for August to navigate the world once he has witnessed it first hand. For me, the lack of climax is fitting: the film is less about making it big, and more about figuring out how to cope.

The film is well made - the camera work, editing are all very good, with some nice cinematic touches. The soundtrack though is the real high point. There is an excellent blend of existing music and that "created" by August and this is, in my opinion, where the film creates its "ode to the south side".

As far as created for Netflix content goes, this is once you'll want to watch.

A real life look at life in Chicago for a young man dealing with loss. Inspirational story that's human at its core. The ending felt a little flat, but other than that, enjoyed it. Soundtrack is a bonus.