This Modern Man Is Beat (2015) User Reviews

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.

Unique and Interesting

[matthewsanchez-90450 · 8/10 · 22 September 2023]

This Modern Man is Beat is a unique and thought provoking short film written by my college professor. We are given a captivating perspective on this man as he goes through the supposed five stages of grief after having killed his wife after a night of one too many. Directed by Alex Merkin, we are presented the current residential environment as new and a bit unfamiliar like how it is for the protagonist, Habib, played by Jordi Vilasuso, who brings the character to a believable level and sympathetic take. The film was quite well shot, the acting was never dry or slow on anyone's part. All in all, a quite remarkable film.

It was great!

[naelalexispierre · 8/10 · 15 February 2024]

I loved the movie. I enjoyed the foreshadowing that happened throughout the movies. The plot twist had me thinking and made me want to rewatch the movie just to see all the hints that lead to the plot twist.

The actors were great, they kept me immersed in the movie the whole time. I liked the scenery and the shots that they did for it. I liked how you can feel the mood shift in different scenes even when you're on the other side of the screen. The music would also fit with the tone/mood of the scene.

Overall it was very enjoyable to watch. It never felt like I was watching "just" a movie and I'd recommend it to anybody else to watch.

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.

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.

Leaves you in Suspense

[miacoreaa · 10/10 · 1 December 2023]

I watched the short film "This Modern Man is Beat" and it was amazing. This 17 minute short film portrays the journey of the main character, Habib. He has depression, is struggling financially, and does not have a good relationship with his wife. They are currently living in a Motel and cannot afford anything. All Habib has is his guitar. The guitar also has great significance in this film. The production in this film is really good and so is the acting. There is suspense throughout the film. I did not expect a cliffhanger for the ending, it leaves you wanting to know more. I would definitely recommend watching it.

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.

Interesting Short Film

[kelywuvsu · 10/10 · 20 March 2024]

It captivates the audience with poignant storytelling and nuanced character development. Very relatable and thought-provoking. Makes us examine our own beliefs and perceptions about what it means to be a man today. It's quite a plot twist at the end. It's a must watch. It's a tour de force of contemporary cinema, offering a profound exploration of existential angst in the modern age. The movie offers a compelling portrayal of a protagonist grappling with the profound challenges of existence amidst the chaotic landscape of urban life. The film's greatest strengths lies in its ability to evoke a sense of universality amidst the specificity of its narrative.

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.

Reconcile Vs Acceptance

[nathaliebarrios-55055 · 9/10 · 30 November 2023]

I have never seen a breath taking short film like " This Modern Man is Beat." At first i was a bit lost but that made me rewatch it again, which made more sense as I rewatched. I loved its format, the way they included more scenery than dialogue. The actor who played Habib, did an amazing job, expressing, and getting into character to develop his grief and trying to make his way out of his beaten life. The flashbacks made it more interesting for me because it made me questionable. The tension between Habib and his wife was something unreal, his wife was abusive towards him, because couldn't provide for her. Habib struggled to be a better person but the tragic ending was not expected. It all made sense at the end when Habib expressed himself, bringing back what was shown at the beginning. If you are looking forward in seeing a short film, I recommend "This Modern Man is Beat' which will leave you asking for more.

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.

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.

Karli Torres's Review

[karlixo · 10/10 · 8 April 2024]

This movie offers a poignant exploration of identity and societal norms through the eyes of its protagonist, Ricardo. Jordi Vilasuso's nuanced performance captures the internal struggle of a Mexican-American man caught between two worlds. Director Alex Merkin's deft storytelling and visually captivating cinematography elevate the film, immersing viewers in the contrasting landscapes of suburban privilege and urban reality. With its thought-provoking themes and strong performances, "This Modern Man Is Beat" is a compelling indie gem that leaves a lasting impression on audiences, prompting reflection on issues of race, class, and personal authenticity.

Shocking turn of events

[yaelispena · 9/10 · 16 February 2024]

"The Modern Man is Beat" explores the depths of relationship breakup and despair in the wake of 9/11. In the face of financial hardship and marital problems, Alex Merkin portrays Habib's effort to sell his guitar in a way that is both realistic and moving. The film masterfully depicts how Habib's emotions and trust are destroyed when he faces reality. Merkin skillfully negotiates the difficulties of love, sorrow, and self-realization via exquisitely rendered images and an engrossing story, ending in a shocking turn of events that has a profound effect. The profound insights this short film offers regarding the human condition and the pursuit of redemption transcend its little length.

Surprising!

[naylaa-45217 · 10/10 · 27 November 2023]

The short film "This Modern Man is Beat" is an amazing suspenseful film. The film is based on the main character that is going through a struggle and it unfolds it so wonderfully. I love the cinematography it was beautifully made. I recommend watching this short film the way it was leaving me anxious as to what would be the turn out. This short film isn't like others because you know what's going to happen but this one had a surprising ending that caught me off guard and left me wanting more. The producers did an amazing job with being creative and finding the right actors. This short film deserves more hype and would love it to become a movie because i would watch it.

Phenomenal Short Film

[kyle-98917 · 9/10 · 1 December 2023]

This is a Phenomenal Short Film.

This short film told an awesome story. The characters did an outstanding performance which enhanced the experience of this film. The internal struggle of the protagonist was captivating. There were instances where the film left it up to the viewer to fill in details with their imagination thus pulling the audience in. Alongside the story that was being told the scenery and cinematic shots were very nice. The attention to detail is very noticeable which makes this film even greater. Overall, This Modern Man Is Beat was an awesome short film.. I recommend others to watch as well.

Captivating short film

[manuelduenas · 10/10 · 30 November 2023]

The story begin with a man carrying his guitar, and in front of the motel, across the street, he see a dog on the road face to face staring into the eyes, but the dog seems to be scared by him, and the dog look down to get calm down. At the same time, the story is intriguing, fascinating, mysterious, odd, he bring flashback memories, outstanding character. On the one hand, the man demonstrates to be strong, but on the other hand he is fragile. In his inner, he is suffering because of his way always was telling him that she did not believe in him and he was not a real man, apart from it, he would never be a good guitar player, he is thinking about her all the time, but her words made him feel like a loser.

REAL LIFE

[andygoestofsu · 10/10 · 5 April 2024]

This Modern Man Is Beat, a beautiful short story about a man on the verge of losing everything. Men losing everything everything happens every day around us but is not talked about enough. I loved the colors used through out the film. Habib being of middle eastern descent makes it more relatable for me as well. I really enjoyed how it took us through this well paced journey for it to pick up very quickly towards the end I was not expecting that outcome. The struggle of men in modern times is not talked about enough and this short film does a very accurate job of showing you how it easily can become this way for certain people. I look forward to watching it and depicting more detaisl on it later...

Incredible film!

[melaniemorales-15325 · 10/10 · 29 November 2023]

This film is incredibly captivating. It kept me at the edge of my seat with the help of the great acting portrayed and very well thought out plot. Definitely was not expecting so much emotion and shock to be felt in this film, that was a great surprise. It has remarkable cinematography and audio. With all the high quality production, it makes the film very entertaining. Overall, I would recommend it to everyone who enjoys watching amazing films. I am totally going to convince my family to watch this film with me and my friends to watch it because, in my opinion, it is different than other films I have seen.

A moving, if slightly overacted, film

[apblanco-94664 · 8/10 · 16 February 2024]

This Modern Man is Beat is in many respects a fantastic short film. Though many of the characters are understandably somewhat one-note given its short length, both its central protagonist Habib and his wife receive a significant amount of development, and the dismal and desperate mental state of the former throughout comes across very well in the writing and acting.

The sets are also of sterling quality, with strong contrasts of light and dark dividing the past and the present. The film's foreshadowing is top-notch, as small, intermittently introduced details combine to form a grander picture, subtle enough to clue one in without giving away its true premise until the end.

That said, for all its high points the film does have its share of foibles, as the cold open in the pawn shop leaves little time to establish the gravity of Habib selling his guitar, and Habib himself is a little too eager to spill his whole life's story at the drop of a hat. The film is also prone to shots that occasionally come off as awkward and even slightly comical, which can undercuts the tension somewhat.

The film's cold open combined with its short length are generally what hurt the film the most though, as the extremely dramatic, dolorous music, the slow pace of dialogue and perhaps overly impassioned delivery of the main actor can appear almost to be self-parody at moments given the emotional attachment they expect the viewer to have for a character they've known only fifteen or so minutes.

Overall, the film is very competent and moving but occasionally considers itself more emotional than it is, and undermines itself in the process.

Really able to Connect to main characters

[reefmkarnas · 9/10 · 6 December 2023]

This Modern Man is Beat is a thought-provoking short film that is suspenseful and moving. You keep wondering what happened before and what is going to happen. The cinematography, lighting, acting, music, and script work well to express the deep emotions of the character. It is about a Christian Palestinian man who is now in a desperate situation. Throughout the film, Habib bin Habib al Fulan experiences various emotions in the present and in flashbacks. These emotions range from happiness to anger and sadness. I recommend this short film as it is a sensory experience that you won't easily forget.

Fantastic Visuals, Somewhat Weak in Story and Dialogue

[miloakerman · 8/10 · 15 February 2024]

In terms of pure audiovisual quality, the film met and exceeded my expectations. The environment is well established through good color grading (that avoids falling into the Breaking Bad trap of "desert equals yellow") and fantastic audio design. However, as mentioned by some other commenters, the film somewhat fails in presenting the characters as multidimensional and complex. The main character is introduced through a somewhat unnatural dialogue sequence, which seems more like a dream than a pawn shop interaction, and the developments that follow are not explicated well enough to merit any sort of goodwill towards the characters.