Raetsonwe Redundant and unnecessary.

Cleveronix A different way of telling a story

Afouotos Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

Frances Chung Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

merklekranz Bruce Ramsay is terrific as Kit, the charming, manipulative, desert playboy, who hides some well hidden skeletons. His enormous ego is padded with beer can lifts in his boots, layers of makeup, and zero tolerance of rejection. Kit's favorite sport is playing his numerous ladies for fools. Eventually he meets his match in Kristen (Natasha Gregson Wagner), who manages to turn the tables on Kit, with disastrous results. The story is told through the eyes of Rudy (Balthazar Getty), who is a friend, and "born follower" of Kit. The soundtrack of 60s music is impressive, and the 50s/60s cars are great. If you enjoy quirky characters who behave irrationally, "Dead Beat" is your movie. - MERK

Nick Dets Movies like "Dead Beat" stick out for their mediocrity. This is a film which establishes its main character Kit as a truly larger than life legend of sorts. Kit is given a brilliantly colorful world to come alive and is surrounded by highly competent actors to help. However, somewhere after his grand introduction, it starts to increasingly feel as if the movie is falling short of the sheer bigness the story requires.Kit is played by the devilishly handsome Bruce Ramsay, who isn't given the meaty role he should have been able to run with. Instead, the character teeters on the edge of boldness when he should be brimming with life. I did like the idea of the Kit, though. He is a super-cool Elvis fanatic who intoxicates a whole town with his magical confidence and other-wordly charm. His face is so layered with makeup that he resembles something of a walking Ken doll, which is a perfect indication of the hollowness his charisma is compensating for. Ultimately, "Dead Beat" is about the dark side and eventual decay of an almost mystical small-town legend. Like his hero who held American culture in the palm of his hand only to disappear in heartbreaking tragedy, Kit loses himself amongst public adoration and personal despair.This is the first and only movie by Adam Dubov. If only he had the confidence of his leading man! Dubov seems too cautious to harness such a bold story. He misses the mark on many scenes which should have been pushed to their fullest in terms of style and humor. Some scenes are just plain badly directed. Take the introduction of Kristen (played by the sexy Natasha Gregson Wagner) , the girl who ruins Kit, for example. She pulls a malicious prank on a lifeguard at a public pool, a scene which gives exposition to the only girl in town who could lead to Kit's downfall. The scene should have been classic, but is confusing and unfunny due to oblivious direction. Also, the movie builds up to what should have been a heart-wrenching climax. By the time it comes, the audience is too confused to know what to think about (or care about) an event which should have been riveting and extremely sad. A very well-written voice over ends the film, and serves as a reminder that this could have been a poignant and unforgettable film.There are many recommendable values of the movie that also give hint to the fact that it could have been much greater. The production design is a knockout, especially considering the small budget. The world created for Kit is vibrant, appropriately archaic, detailed and original. There is an excellent use of color which gives the movie a romantic comic strip feel and breathes life into the constantly dull scenes. The supporting cast are talented and thankfully watchable. I loved Balthazar Ghetty's understated, grounded interpretation of Kit's somber sidekick Rudy. Natasha Gregson Wagner is pitch perfect as Kristen, using the character's bratty personality for humor instead of irritation."Dead Beat" deserves a bolder director. It is entertaining enough due to its few saving graces, but only amounts to a glimpse at a film that could have been an indie classic.(2 out of 4)

John Seal Dead Beat can't decide whether it's a serious film about disturbed youth and murder or a campy period piece ala Cry Baby. There's too much emphasis on period detail, much of which is inaccurate anyway--always a distraction for me in films of this sort. The film looks good and aspires to profundity but ultimately is another empty Hollywood look at juvenile delinquency.

sugahmunky I am the Queen of Quirk so I was able to appreciate this off beat film.I had never even heard anything about it before. I just found it for $5 in the discount Video Box. Anyway, it looked weird enough and it definitely is just that.It's about a play boy named Kit (Bruce Ramsey) who is a total phony. He dyes his hair, applies powder foundation and wears flattened cans in his cowboy boots to make himself appear taller. Every girl is in love with him because he looks and sings like Elvis. He is seemingly serious about one girl though and that is Martha (Sarah Gilbert). Well, that is, until Kirsten comes on the scene (Natasha Gregson Wagner-the princess of offbeat films). She is a skank (just like him), she's insane and has something complex going on underneath (just like him). They are perfect for each other...for awhile.This isn't just a love story though. Did Kit kill a girl awhile back and bury her out in the desert or is that just one of his lame, made up stories? Murders become a theme in the film towards the end and all the relationship humour is soon forgotten.This film isn't exactly *amazing* but it's not completely awful. It's funny, it's entertaining and it has the campiness of a film from 1965 (that's when the film takes place). I give it 7/10 for quirk/weirdness.