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.
