In Matthew McConaughey's earnest effort to show his fans a good time, we are left wondering whether he and a generous cast of celebrities (who appear to be improvising considerable chunks of The Beach Bum) are having more fun than the audience.
Harmony Korine's film-making style is to create "experiences," shooting music videos in the context of a larger story. This was done with greater success in his previous work, the divisive-but-brilliant-at-times Spring Breakers, and less successfully here. The aforementioned's avant garde style devolves into a more scattershot product in this effort.
Stoners may find comfort in knowing that their genre may actually be alive, well, and kicking between Miami and Key West. The rest of us may just enjoy this as a 95 minute party, or better yet, as an ideal film to have on as background for a party.
Review of The Beach Bum
