The Beta Test

source: The Beta Test

If you love "Thunder Road" and "The Wolf of Snow Hollow", written, directed and main acting by Jim Cummings, which were very well received by the movie buffs, you will equally love "The Beta Test". This movie is part a satire and part topsy-turvy thriller. The movie and the plot are not perfect but there is no need for perfection here. The acting performance of both Jim Cummings (Jordan) and PJ McCabe (PJ) are just sublime. And it is always a pleasure to see Jim Cummings displaying all his talents. He is truly one of the most underrated actors today. As the film gets going, we learn Jordan is going to be married soon to Caroline (Virginia Newcomb), about whom Jordan and the film itself seem to have so little interest, apart from making fun of her obsession with her upcoming nuptials, that we don't even know what she does for a living. When a purple envelope arrives in the mail offering Jordan a chance to meet an "admirer" for "anonymous no-strings-attached sex" at a hotel, he hems and haws over the invite and it's enclosed RSVP card and finally fills it out. But elsewhere in Los Angeles other couples who have signed up for similar encounters are facing dire consequences, including murderous spouses. Will this be just as bad for Jordan, too, or even worse, damage his career? All the black comedy is terrific. The stuff about Jordan hunting down who sent the invitation for the hook-up is exciting. The dialogues are clever and custom made for the characters. A very good plot, story, acting, filming, dialogues and a nice twist at the end. What else you need to go and watch this movie?

It has an interesting idea and tries to deliver an important message but it fails in portraying it. The screenplay is weak and dull. Story doesn't make much sense and storytelling is messy. Lead performance is a cringe. It's a missed opportunity, it could've been much better.

Ok, either I am stupid or extremely smart but I seriously did not get this movie. Can someone clarify?... I am in europe so not that up to date with the Weinstein story (I understand this is something that it was based on), but I seriously did not understand this movie and feel I lost my precious time. I do not recommend, sorry.

The only comedy in this is how bad it is, from the writing to the acting it just left me rolling my eyes. The premise isn't set up all that well, and there doesn't seem to be much motivation for the main characters actions other than he's an asshole. It bounces between eccentric and boring in such a disappointing way. I'll admit I did laugh when he filled out the purple card, but I can't tell if that was the intention.

I honestly have no idea what I just watched. It wasn't terrible but it certainly wasn't good. I wasn't bored but I was in no way into it. I knew what was happening, yet I was confused. It wasn't funny but I did laugh a few times.

Adultery meets #MeToo by way of Entourage in the sometimes comic, imminently tragic The Beta Test. Jim Cummings shows his understanding of any poor sap still thinking he belongs to the Alpha Male Club as Cummings did in different ways in Thunder Road and Wolf of Snow Hollow. In Beta, Cummings' Jordan is a talent agent running feverishly with clients but out of date clueless. Everything about him is geared for combat: handsome head on a slender build, close-cropped hair, and machine gun delivery. What he is not prepared for, however, is a temptation too good to refuse: an invitation for anonymous sex in a high-profile hotel, with no apparent consequences except of course the shock that he would be unfaithful to this loving, virtuous wife. After the central sin, The Beta Test moves into thriller territory as Jordan tries to find the elusive mystery lady (he was, after all, blind folded when he sinned). Of course, he is really looking to find himself especially after a partier dumps doom on his profession, which is growing more impotent in the face of a fragmented Hollywood and artists' growing independence. Jordan might face his professional demise in the Harvey-Weinstein way if he fails to see the signals when he inappropriately guides a young female in the office or fails to weigh the consequences of infidelity. Cummings plays the perfect everyman, cocky and successful but disconnected from the emerging new woman. Cummings has forcefully depicted a corrupt Hollywood while he has defined the defensive role men must take in face of the Internet's merciless data tracking, identity stealing, and lawlessness. Cummings' hero is this time around for him more aggressive than his other leading men but also more vulnerable. While some may see humor in Jordan's slow dissolve into anonymity, I find his disintegration a caution to live a better life and maybe just go offline.

Thoroughly enjoyed Jim and PJ's latest production, they are so talented! This film is so not Hollywood even though it's set in Hollywood. Such excellent writing and performances by all. Not a sit back and relax film, lots of tension and energy. Can't wait for more from these two!

A vaguely fascinating concept, though the premise is quite inept, if a pair can get together, wearing masks they don't untether. Can't imagine hooking up, at least sneaking a tiny look, unless you are the type or kind, who likes to be deaf, dumb and blind - which is fine, but you'd need a pretty good pairing algorithm to know that!

The director did not control the music. What should have been background became foreground, making it impossible to hear the dialog, even with the sound turned way up. My wife and i estimated that we missed 2/3 of the character's lines. Overall a dreadful experience of what might have been an interesting film.