This Modern Man Is Beat (2015) User Reviews

Creatively Thoughtful / Denise Espioza

[edithespinoza · 8/10 · 1 December 2023]

This Short film was written for the curious. Following Habib a man we know nothing about besides he's dirt broke and holds strong emotions that can only be explained by the mere insight we as the viewer have into his mind. Using Sound, Lights and, imaging to hint at what could be happening. Leaving us the watcher thinking "But why". Left my mind especially wondering is it mental lllness, stress, or maybe even anger. Not just the unknown of his own purpose and emotions but, the facts that we do know and his purpose as an ethnic man in white America. Sprinkling just a glimpse of what subtle racism looks like and the disbelief of not being able to do anything but maybe, just maybe educate the ignorant. In such a perfect way of not making it obvious that is obnoxious but so it's perfectly sweet like a soft marshmallow. Light and soft in your mouth but thick as it goes through your body. After realizing what it all means ripping a heavy set in your heart and mind.

My Short Movie Review

[gabrielleseaga · 8/10 · 15 February 2024]

The Modern Man is Beat, is a an amazing film to watch as it shows what runs through the main characters mind. The film makes a person wonder if Habib is going to be able to move on from this dark period of his life or will he just stay in that motel. There are some hints as to if he will stay depressed or if he is going to fight this feeling. Habib seems to try to remember his wife in a positive way but it seems like he had a difficult time. This movie shows how a character is fighting his thoughts and tries to survive. The Pawn shop cashier took a while to catch on why this man needs money but the owner caught on right away and called the cops.

A Great Emotion of Suspense

[nitrohalfgunaron · 8/10 · 26 October 2023]

Right, from the beginning the short film immerses you in an atmosphere that hints at hidden depths waiting to be explored. The storytelling skillfully builds on this sense of intrigue. As the scenes unfold it compels you to delve into Habib's sense of desolation. Throughout its duration, the film cleverly drops hints without spoon-feeding the audience allowing them to come to their conclusions. The protagonist's journey, and their emotional transformation leading up, to the climax, is portrayed with such finesse that it leaves viewers deep in thought. Not only does the film showcase storytelling but it also demonstrates the power of leaving certain aspects open for viewers to connect and interpret on their own.

Awesome Short Film

[alxandrasantana · 10/10 · 22 July 2023]

The greatness of this film lies more in what is intimated than in what is presented. On the surface, the plot of the movie seems relatively simple: a man goes to a pawn shop to sell his guitar. However, the backstory that is only alluded to and not even seen is incredible. I've never seen a movie use negative space so effectively. The narrative is presented in little fragments, leaving the remaining details to your imagination. It began by striking the person with the appropriate emotions. How effectively the primary character was able to convey each feeling. He conveys his sorrow over his wife's memories in a way that also conveys his feeling that there is a slim chance that things will return to the way they were. The small amount of joy he experienced upon learning that he was able to sell his guitar for a little bit more money. He started to feel the weight of what had transpired, the desperation he had experienced upon realizing the police were going to arrest him.

Great suspenseful film

[kevingomez-99964 · 10/10 · 7 December 2022]

This Modern Man Is Beat, a phenomenal short film with a very good unexpected turn of events. It had stunningly beautiful and colorful scenes. The film kept me tense the whole way through. Wondering what had gotten Habib in such a depressed mood. The small hints and details throughout specific scenes not giving you the whole picture but slowly leading you to to make your own assumption of the situation. The mains characters quick development of emotions towards the end was very well curated, it had really left you with a lot to think about. I would love to watch it again and recommend this film to everyone.

It's a Solid Shortfilm

[ul3vm · 6/10 · 10 February 2024]

I can see a lot of thought and effort went into creating this film. All the actors did great. It has some nice cinematic shots, my favorite one actually being used as the cover. At the same time, the dialogue is telling not showing. One example is the long drawn-out scene of his wife being still on the bed while Habib talks to himself. It has an abrupt tone shift from "Can you say something? Are you going to stay in bed all day?" to "You don't believe me but it's okay cause I was lying." It feels drastic because nothing happened in those 30 seconds. Unprompted, Habib overly narrates to the audience and both men at the pawn shop. His background and ethnicity give depth to the character but within the film itself, it's awkwardly stated and adds nothing. The events between Habib and his wife would be more impactful to the audience if you cut to flashbacks to hear and see what happened in real-time instead of Habib retelling it.

"An impression of poetry in motion for all generations"

[cloydinmedina · 5/10 · 9 December 2020]

This is great short film created by an amazing effort of a small talented group of professional actors and great developing crew back in 2015. The hypnotic film under 17 minutes long will have you on the edge of your seat. The film is full sounds and profound music, with every eye-catching color and romantic scenes completely sequestrated all the senses. it is easy to get lost into the storyline and get your mind blown away with the tragic emotional twist. Astonishing performance; The holistic story of a man broken man living in a world divided by cultural differences and confusion. Habib bin Habib al Fulan, (Jordi Villasuso) the submissive loving and dedicated husband whose sole purpose in his life was to cherish his wife (Sheena Colette). Fierce warrior cast from the Americas the antagonist of the story. The great dark secret that Habib and his wife share while sharing his state of denial. Turmoil and the struggle to reach out beyond the heartbreak and enormous grief in his heart. All that Habib could hope for was an attempt to reconcile his demons and return with his beloved wife. Longing to share one more moment with his beloved one. Habib attempting to pawns his guitar for fist-full of dollars, with the endeavor of a fresh start. The money would catapult new hopes and dreams for the young couple, together again. This is a great film that must be watch over and over, new twist along this great performance of splendid actors and the amazing direction of Prof. David Schroeder. The unique style of cinematography can only be contemplated as masterpiece amongst many. Congratulation to the Team for executing this fantastic film and creating this powerful impression of poetry in motion for all generations.

A gripping story

[danialvarezinsua · 8/10 · 8 April 2024]

This 17-minute-long film is enough to see the devastation that the main character, a foreigner called Habid, suffers due to lack of money to pay for the rent of the motel where he lives with his wife. The contrast between their tender happy moments of the past and the present tough ones that they go through comes to the foreground by a very good use of light. The loneliness and emptiness that the quiet desert portraits work as a backdrop of this man's lack of multiples resources to bring their lives back to normalcy. Unable to control his wife in one of her hysterical outbursts of anger and rage, he goes to the extreme of taking her life. He is too blind and desperate to see that there is always hope and a way out for people's helplessness. He returns to the pawn shop ready to accept whatever is offered for his guitar. To his surprise, the owner of the shop tells him that at that moment he is in luck because now his guitar is worth more money. Moreover, he is also given a job vacancy form to fill in. However, now it is too late. A police officer opens the door and aims his gun at him. With very little action involved, this short film highlights a bunch of feelings and emotions that ultimately convey what human beings are subjected to when torn by extreme situations.

Intriguing, but room for improvement + expansion

[vdavis-21162 · 6/10 · 16 February 2024]

This Modern Man is Beat is a dramatic short film featuring professional cinematography and visuals. The narrative was intriguing, with a shocking plot twist at the end. I did anticipate the plot twist correctly within the first few minutes of the film, but was satisfied with the narrative, nonetheless. I do feel as if some of the dialogue and pauses between scenes were a tad awkward or artificial - the main character, Habib bin Habin al Fulan, often spoke too little or too long. Upon exiting the motel in the first half of the movie, the camerawork showed several angles to view Habib and his surroundings with, including a dog laying on the other side of the road. The lengthy shots suggested something significant or dramatic would occur, perhaps with the dog or the area Habib was in, but nothing of note happened besides the transition to the next location. The story itself was compelling, though it lacked the backstory that I felt was necessary to truly appreciate the film. Overall, I would rate this as a quality film with a lot of room for an expanded story. Much potential for a longer, more intricate adaptation.

Review and Critique

[diegocano-71840 · 5/10 · 5 April 2024]

This movie doesn't do much to steer far from your run of the mill thriller,. It has solid ideas presented and for the most part is actually well paced. For being a short film however, it could've honestly used some its time building on its characters, particularly the protagonist and/or his wife. I think if either of those characters had given me more material to care about them, all of the plots twists and structures could've landed harder. The short film excels with its acting and cinematography and those aspects I feel are the film's greatest strengths. The symbolisms in its cinematic style are also nice in its subtlety. Though the montages and muted dialogue scenes in the flashbacks I believe can be a weakness. I understand showing and not telling but sometimes these interactions can work better to serve its characters instead of appearing only as glimpses. However, for where the scenes are placed it contrasts well to the idealized daydreams he reaches for in denial. So far that lack of development and how predictable some of the story beats are, are what happen to make the film ordinary. I feel the film at best is a decent viewing if there is nothing else to watch; this film probably would work a lot better if it was a feature. With how short this film is though it should've focused on making its characters more interesting, the background info on Habib could've gone somewhere but it ultimately was just exposition. One thing that I strongly feel the film in its current state suffers from and can do without is Habib's depiction as a half Palestinian man, I can get behind him being El Salvadoran to bring a job opportunity but it does nothing for his character being an Arab. I bring this up because in a post 9/11 world, this portrayal of Arab people in villainous/violent roles is just a reflection of how wrongly perceived they are in real life. It may have not been the films' intentions but this aspect serves to reinforce western fears of "the untrustworthy middle eastern man" stereotype. If the film wanted to center around him being foreign, it can do that, but here it just feels like throw away information and feels poorly handled.

beautifully sorrowful

[alyonatkachuk · 9/10 · 1 December 2023]

I could not take my eyes of the scenery it was very pleasing to watch. The short film did a very beautiful job at expressing great emotions of strong anger ,stress, guilt and love. The deep affection and compassion he showed/said for his wife in the beginning slowly turned mixed into with hatred and toxicity. Struggling to provide for his wife, she turns emotionally/physically abusive. Turning into a sad unexpected ending. In his delusion believing he is still in love. He struggled to be a better person knowing the weight of regret on his back from his morally wrong actions. After watching this short film it leaves you feeling somewhat sorrowful.

Confusing Plot

[rmilford-36992 · 6/10 · 8 June 2024]

What happens in the end? It is a massive cliffhanger that I just rewatched multiple times. The plot is good. It is a good short film but leaves me upset at the end. I want to find out what happens to the man. This man is someone who is emotionally, mentally, and physically beat down and is tired of life and wants it all to stop. I think overall it is a good film, the actors are good, and the screenwriter wrote well. Next time I wish for a ending showing what happens with the man at the end of the film. This film shows how life can affect all the decisions a person can make under stress and how these decisions impact the rest or their life.

Thought-Provoking Film

[valdezrignak · 4/10 · 10 April 2024]

Rating: 4 Stars

Review: "This Modern Man Is Beat" is a captivating exploration of identity and cultural assimilation. The film follows the journey of a Muslim man navigating the unfamiliar terrain of beatnik culture. Through beautifully crafted scenes and genuine performances, it delves into the complexities of personal and cultural identity. While some parts of the narrative may feel disjointed, the overarching themes of belonging and authenticity resonate deeply. The cinematography adds depth to the storytelling, capturing the clash between tradition and modernity with striking visuals. Overall, "This Modern Man Is Beat" offers an engaging and thought-provoking cinematic experience that lingers in the mind long after the credits roll.

This Modern Man Is Beat

[cclizarazu · 9/10 · 20 November 2023]

This short film is filled with suspense and many emotions that entertains the viewers from beginning to end and grasps their attention. I enjoyed this film because every detail adds to the story and the more you play close attention the more you discover and understand the depth in this movie. The storyline provides enough information, yet leaves the viewers wanting more. The ending was my favorite part due to the open ending, it had me thinking about the film frequently trying to guess which ending was the "right" one. Although it is only 17 minutes, it still is a must watch and I will recommend to friends and family.

A great watch.

[mcalderin-28424 · 9/10 · 14 February 2024]

The Modern Man is Beat is a captivating story, with amazing visuals. I don't know exactly how to describe it, but the story feels larger than what's portrayed. This feeling is especially present at the end, when the twist is revealed. I also like how it ends without actually ending. The suspense at the end, just to be cut by the credits is something that just leaves me wanting more. It also leaves the ending up to interpretation, though I could imagine that the creator has his own idea of an ending beyond what's shown.

The shortness of the movie is also something I appreciate, because not everyone have 1, 2, or sometimes 3 hours to sit and watch feature length film. The shortness of 17 minutes allows more people with less time to watch and enjoy.

Great watch

[lauren-95298 · 7/10 · 29 November 2023]

The short film "This modern man is beat" is a riveting short film produced and written by David Schroeder. From the amazing actors, to the intense cinematography, and engrossing music, this film keeps you entertained throughout the whole film. The story of a man trying to navigate himself in todays discriminatory society. The film shows a mans experiences while dealing with his personal relationships, such as that with his wife, and evaluating his personal life decisions. We watch as this foreign mans love for America is put to the test when it feels as though America may be against him. It is a feeling many can relate to and therefore creating a very touching story.

Guilt In This Modern Man Is Beat

[douglasperlajose · 5/10 · 30 October 2023]

"This Modern Man Is Beat" tells the story of a troubled, guilt ridden man. It is a simple yet compelling story, though it may feel cliche, its storytelling is done wonderfully so, to the point where it does not feel as just a simple retelling of an exhausted cliche. The story revolves entirely around the protagonist, and for such a short film, it makes sense. All the elements of the story are very well done and introduced, it wraps everything up nicely. I personally really enjoyed how the character's (Habib) guilt plays a huge role in the film, as it's arguably the reason the film even happens to begin with. He murders his wife, which admittedly, was more predictable than rain in a desert, but the way it affects him, feels incredibly human. He's not some psycho mastermind, just a man, and as all men do, he has flaws and a conscience, and morals, and all those elements which makes us human. Naturally, the murder was an accident, and he goes on to cope by basically living in denial, which is very well portrayed up to the point where it boils up, eating him alive, and he confesses his sin to a store clerk. Very nice film, and for like 15 minutes of actual storytelling, it's worth the watch.

Incredible passionate story.

[jcruzcub · 10/10 · 13 November 2023]

This film will leave you wanting more. The way this film was carefully created tells you how good it is. Pay close attention to the smallest details throughout the story. The actor did a great job, interpreting his main character role. The end will leave you at the edge of your seat. 100% recomend this film. I love the setting used to creat this film. It remainded me of when I lived in California desert. This film is a relatable story of a a marriage, and the struggles within it. Many men and women can relate to the struggles that the characters went through, and can find themselves understanding the story better specially those who have been in a toxic relationship before.

This Modern Man Is Beat Review

[milalascano · 10/10 · 23 September 2023]

Although it is only a short film, this film told a story unlike what I've seen on average lately. There are many moments where you can't look away, but also moments when you want to, which all in all make for a really good watch. I think the way the story is portrayed gives us an inside look into the main character and go through the motions alongside these characters. I think another great thing about it was the direction and the scenery of the film, it gave it a different look and added to its feel. I also think that for a mystery it perfectly captivates that exhilarating feeling of guessing what could possibly happen next.

Amazing movie

[canofarro · 10/10 · 1 December 2023]

I was left speechless how someone could show so much emotion and themes in such a short movie would definitely watch again. This Modern Man Is Beat is truly a great short film. The film is about Habib, the main character, who is a young man that is currently going through a lot of things in his life. He is financially not doing well because he got fired from his job three months ago and hasn't been able to find a job since, has a sign of eviction to his house, his wife is abusive because he can't be a provider to her and physically hits him, and is very depressed. Habib just wants to prove himself to his wife. Habib is a man who is going through a lot now and that's how this short film got its title of "This Modern Man Is Beat".

A cinematic Odyssey Into a existential Turmoil

[devanteeverett · 9/10 · 2 December 2023]

"This Modern Man is beat" goes into offering a thought-provoking explorations of existential themes and the human condition. This films minimalist approach and strong performances create that atmosphere that lingers on inviting the viewer on reflecting on identity, pursuit of meaning, and society. While it may not be for everyone due to its unconventional narrative but for those who appreciate contemplative cinema can find it to be a captivating and intellectual stimulating experience. This can also be a must watch for those seeking a thought-provoking exploration of the human psyche with also being a film that can invite the audience to ponder on life's profound questions.

The Ending is Jaw Dropping!

[allaboutmimiiii · 10/10 · 10 November 2023]

This short film kept me on the edge of my seat, and Habibs story caught my attention wanting more!. The film created a suspenseful atmosphere that will leave you wanting to know the story behind Habib and his wife.. It's a testament to the filmmakers' ability to create a gripping story that resonates on both an intellectual and emotional level. The ending of this film really has you thinking if Habib did something to his wife.. For anyone with an appreciation for nuanced storytelling and a desire to be taken on a thought-provoking journey, this film is an absolute must-watch. Overall, a captivating experience that left a lasting impression.

Highly recommended!!!

Un-biased review

[isabellah-11900 · 9/10 · 14 November 2023]

From my perspective, This Short film portrays a man who clearly fell into a hole. His girlfriend contributing absolutely nothing to the already bad situation. Many men tend to get beat by women, whether it be emotionally or physically, An example of both being"you'll never be good at playing the guitar", that simple phrase made him go pawn the guitar. She also hit him with a Jack Daniel's bottle... it is really difficult to portray how blind in love a man can really become. But this short film definitely Excels in showing just that. Overall the film is eye-opening, interesting, and very informing.

Very intriguing

[yaisea · 10/10 · 8 April 2024]

I give this work a 10 star rating because of how mind bending it is. This is really compelling and thought-provoking work. It prompts reflection on the complexities of human existence, the masks we wear as humans. But really amazingly the quest for authenticity in a world filled with expectations and illusions. The title itself, "This Modern Man Is Beat," carries multiple layers of meaning. One of the most intriguing aspects of the film is its exploration of the protagonist's inner turmoil and his struggle to reconcile his outward persona with his internal conflicts.the film follows the journey of a successful, seemingly confident man who becomes increasingly entangled in a surreal and disorienting experience really relating to life itself.

Amazing Suspenseful film

[estefaniacastillo-68026 · 10/10 · 4 April 2024]

I was incredibly impressed with the short film, it doesn´t let you get up from your seat and leaves you waiting for what will happen. The actors made art, it is a story that captures you and leads you to all kinds of mixed feelings where what you least expect is the outcome. I enjoyed watching this film because it had such an interesting ending. The plot was heartbreaking, cruel, and loaded with a lot of anguish I would love to watch it again and recommend this film to everyone.

I can say that this film is a powerful short film that shows different and sad emotions throughout its duration. I loved the story.