Beats

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.