Okay, maybe I'm too picky but I really wanted this film to show more character development. Maybe it's just the nature of the beast because trying to personify outstanding writers and eccentric personalities like Burroughs and Ginsberg on the screen can be so difficult, but it seemed like this film lacked something. I still enjoyed it. And I enjoyed how the film seemed to focus more on Joan (Courtney Love) and how we were actually made to care and sympathize for her character. Love really is a good actress that isn't given as much credit as she deserves in the media. Kiefer Sutherlands' portrayal of Burroughs as a snakey, dirty old man who cheats on his wife didn't make him have many redeeming factors and for that, I was a bit upset considering Burroughs is one of my absolute favorite writers ever. Ron Livingston's portrayal of Ginsberg didn't seem too true to form based on what I've read about him. But maybe that was what deterred me from really loving this film...because I was too attached to the work of these beat poets prior to viewing it. It's a good film, but if you're a fan of the work of the beat generation--you might be upset that it rewrites your perception of the eccentric personalities of these American literary heroes.
Review of Beat
