The indie film festival Raindance has kicked off in London, with new films playing everyday at the Vue Piccadilly until 5th October. Many of these are UK, European or even world premieres, as was yesterday’s screening of ugly duckling comedy-drama The Beat beneath my Feet.
Directed by John Williams and written by Michael Mueller The Beat beneath my Feet is the story of a shy, music-loving youngster based in suburban England. Single mother Mary and her son Tom live in a nondescript apartment block. The mostly absent father is a musician, which has badly affected Mary’s view of singers and forced Tom to hide his love of guitars and music from his mum.
When a new tenant, Max, moves into the flat below and starts playing rock music at high volume the reactions of the two are very different. Mary wants to get him evicted. Tom wants to get guitar lessons.
The story is similar to a recent episode of Uncle, a BBC sitcom, with a Battle of the Bands event soon set up as the target of the plot. The film unfolds as you would expect, but the story is told with a pumping sound-track and several animated sections which make engaging music-video interludes. Nicholas Galitzine is impressive in his first role, portraying the difficulty of teenage unpopularity and the relief found in an immersive hobby. Biggest star though is Luke Perry, of Beverley Hills 90210 fame, who relishes playing a misanthropic, ageing rock legend, modelling a black beanie for most of the film. He has suffered tragedy and bizarrely ended up living in Sutton where he is trying to remain anonymous. Although for someone with that aim he does play his music very loud.
There is more confusion in the script, with topics being raised and then left unexamined. Tom’s shyness is too much of a plot device rather than a real investigation into its effects on a child. At one time Tom is depressed, seeing Loser written everywhere he looks. Later he self-harms, but this too is not followed up. The characterisation slips – he is painfully shy, yet able to blackmail Max into giving him guitar lessons. He is too shy to play in the same room as his teacher, yet somehow manages to sing and play guitar in public.
Through the musical subject the film looks at loneliness amongst different generations. It shows the power of mentoring to help both people in the relationship, as well as the difficulty that parents have in letting their children grow up and develop their own lives.
A pleasant but conventionally-plotted tale of wish fulfilment that skirts some difficult issues and peddles the feel-good message that you can achieve your dream. Especially if your dream is to be a rockstar and a rockstar moves into the flat below.
The Beat beneath my Feet will be screening again on Sat 4th October, 6pm
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