Beats is full of tip-top performances that perfectly capture the transition into adulthood
The film has been billed as the new Trainspotting and it tells the story of two teens as they set out to get to their first rave
THIS has been billed as the new Trainspotting – which is quite a burden.
Yes, it’s Scottish. Yes, there’s drugs, and amazing music, and it’s set in the Nineties.
But apart from that, it’s nothing like the 1996 comedy crime classic.
Originally a play by Kieran Hurley, Beats is set in West Lothian in 1994 – we know this because Tony Blair is on TV bigging up something called New Labour.
It tells the story of teens Johnno (Cristian Ortega) and Spanner (Lorn Macdonald, who played Renton in the stage version of Trainspotting).
Spanner is from the wrong side of the tracks and Johnno’s mum is remarrying and moving away, separating the two mates for ever.
This sets the scene for a coming-of-age, last-hurrah movie – where the lads set out to get to their first ever rave, by whatever means necessary.
There will be a lot of people of a certain age triggered by this film – whether by its fashion, incredible tunes (Big Fun by Inner City) or other elements you may no longer admit to.
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The performances are awesome and capture that small window of transition from young adult to jumping aboard the grown-ups’ career train.
I’m going to dig out my Gio Goi, grab a bottle of water and keep going right through till dawn.
Beats (18)
★★★★☆