Harmony Korine‘s new film BEACH BUM could be called an ode to pot smoking that consists of not much more than watching Moondog (played by Matthew McConaughey) get high for 95 minutes. Shaggy, tan, Hawaiian-shirt-wearing-basking-in-the-sun Moondog has a joint in his hand and a can of Pabst Blue Ribbon or some other alcoholic drink in the other in practically every scene. Moondog settled into a comfortable life between Miami and the Florida Keys, like one long, warm sunset. He was once a successful poet who wrote explicit songs about life and love, inspired by his wife Minnie (Isla Fisher) who lives in a fancy villa in Miami and hopes that Moondog will fulfill his long-standing dream of writing the Great American novel. It‘s only when Minnie dies in a car accident that Moondog feels the need to write again, at least a little: he will only inherit Minnie‘s money, if he publishes the novel.

This sounds like a conventional plot at first, but Korine isn‘t concerned with that. He shows a man who is at peace with himself, who doesn‘t need more than the sun and a joint. Matthew McConaughey is perfectly cast, giving a late quasi-continuation of his legendary character from Richard Linklater‘s DAZED AND CONFUSED. Moondog traverses the world in a state of constant anaesthetization, even the accidental death of his beloved wife doesn‘t get to him too much. Life does go on, the next joint is already lit. Less a story and more of a description of a condition, BEACH BUM is a soft, warm, and sun-drenched intoxication.

Michael Meyns (INDIEKINO MAGAZIN)

Translation: Elinor Lewy