Harmony Korinne is a bit of an anomaly to me. He’s one of those filmmakers who I absolutely respect: he’s got a solid vision and great artistry and a voice that’s unmistakable, buuuuut I just don’t like his films. I very much appreciate what he was trying to do with Kids, but it made me so uncomfortable, I can never see it again. Spring Breakers had me all over the place. His stuff is just a little too slow and artsy for my taste, and that’s cool. We all like different things. Just from the trailers for The Beach Bum, I knew it wouldn’t be for me. But there were two reasons I went anyways: Jonah Hill was in it (for what looked like five minutes maybe) and I wanted to get an overpriced, crappy salad from the dine in theater. Seriously 17 bucks with tip for a Caesar salad that was too salty last time and kinda bitter this time, and I was hungry again by the end of the 90 min movie. I had to stop at Panda Express on the way home.
Matthew McConaughey is Moondog, the beach bum in the title. He lives his life writing poetry and partying on the beach. He’s inexplicably married to the beautiful and rich Minnie (Isla Fisher) whom he sees when the tides draw him to her town. There’s eventually some plot that kicks in, but mostly we’re just watching Moondog live his best life.
When there was plot involved, I was kinda into it. That bit of story was unexpected and I really dug it. But only a few scenes really revolved around that narrative. The slice of life-y type stuff was just too slow and dull for me. I kept waiting for the server to bring my check, signaling that there were only 20-30 minutes left in the movie (again, 90 minute movie).
McConaughey is wonderful, fully giving himself over to this role. His antics just got old for me pretty quick. Espeically since I had some plausibility concerns about how he could feasibly get away with half of what he does. I think the bit he did on Jimmy Kimmel, pretending to give out CBD infused food on Hollywood Blvd is all the Moondog I can handle in my life. Those who are more inclined towards artsy film may feel differently.
The Beach Bum – \m/ \n