Review of The Beach Bum (2019) by Compi24 — 01 Apr 2019

In many ways, "The Beach Bum" acts as a perfect distillation of Harmony Korine's cinematic sensibilities, whilst still adhering to a mainstream standard of identity. The plot is as thin as can be, the morality in play is suspect as all Hell, and the thematics are definitely present, but just vague and murky enough to stump even the most astute filmgoers.

It's a rough watch, but to be sure, I'm certain that's exactly what Harmony Korine intended it to be. However, that's not to say that any or all of these things add up to a final product that's interesting, amusing, or even good.

In fact, the final product feels largely plotless, with any sense of a narrative throughline feeling more like a late addition than an intentional story. The characters are depraved and unlikable. The jokes range from minutely amusing to downright offensive.

It's not a good movie. But is that the point? Who knows? As it stands right now, though, I hope the above score is exactly the one that Harmony Korine wants.