That is what makes much of The Beach Bum so frustrating to watch. While it meanders without much focus and is ultimately a pointless endeavor, individual moments are funny. During its 95-minute runtime, you will be fleetingly entertained. However, you are still stuck with a main character whose reaction to someone’s death is reminiscing about how great of a sex partner she was.
The Beach Bum is not a terrible movie. The directing is competent, the score is excellent, and the cast is game and hilarious. However, considering who was at the helm, it is not focused enough and winds up with nothing to say. If you like Korine’s other films, this won’t satisfy you. If you dislike his work, this will not win you over.
The Beach Bum (2019) Directed by Harmony Korine. Written by Harmony Korine. Starring Matthew McConaughey, Jonah Hill, Zac Efron, Isla Fisher, Snoop Dogg, Stefania LaVie Owen, Martin Lawrence.
6 out of 10 Beach Parties
Comes across as ‘The Big Lebowski’-lite. Pass.