The Beach Bum (2019) 

 

Harmony Korine’s latest is deeply hilarious and seemingly goes nowhere in between. I was actually surprised how much I liked this one considering how it finds most of its humor in showing the sheer decadence of these rich, privileged people. The trailer of the movie suggests that Matthew McConaughey’s Moondog goes on some spiritual journey in an attempt to become a better person, while in fact that couldn’t be further from the truth. Moondog in this movie is a textbook example of someone failing upwards, who learns nothing in the process, does whatever the fuck he wants, and eventually gets rewarded for this. His so-called writing process of creating the next great American novel comes down to him jotting down some words on his typewriter once in a while in between a hangover and his afternoon nap, usually with some cocktail or a massive joint in his other hand.  

And his actual poetry is mediocre at best, while his audience mostly exists out of people who don’t strike me as the kind that enjoys the art form, and who seem more amused by his whole clowns act rather than actually being appreciative of his writings. Moondog is like a cute, untrained puppy, the kind that people applaud because he only pooped on the stone floor instead of the expensive carpet. Korine seems to suggests that if you’re rich and confident enough of your own genius, people will tolerate everything you do and even praise you for it. He’s probably right about that.  

This might sound like I was somewhat offended by this movie, which I certainly am not. I don’t even have any kind of disdain for the Moondog character, despite all the ways I previously described him. In fact, I actually had some mild admiration for him while watching this. Or jealousy might be a better word for it. I envy how he has seemingly found peace in this crazy, empty world, only allowing whatever brings him joy into his own personal bubble. "I’m a reverse paranoid. I’m quite certain the world is conspiring to make me happy." he says with a smile. Can you even imagine ever having such a carefree attitude towards everything in life?  

There is something poetic about how Korine portrays this world of advantage and indulgence. You can almost describe it like a perverted feelgood movie. There is a weightlessness to it all. Like every moment your feet can leave the ground and you will float around in the air, going wherever the wind will take you, dancing in between the pink clouds.