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The Beta Test follows Jordan Hines (Jim Cummings), a talent agent in Hollywood that receives an invitation to a "no strings attached sexual encounter in a hotel room". Despite being engaged to Caroline (Virginia Newcomb) and weeks away from their wedding, Jordan is tempted to follow through not realizing that in this day and age, consequences won't go away anymore.
This is the third feature film from Cummings, and it follows a similar template by presenting us an ordinary and insecure lead character thrust into an extra-ordinary situation. I've seen his other two films and most of his short films, and Cummings always excels. Jordan is indeed insecure, but the actor/director does a great job of portraying how he tries to hide that; be it by smooth talking potential clients or abusing of his power with subordinates.
Another trademark of Cummings present here is that constant sense of awkwardness around the characters. They're never at ease, and there's always that feeling that somewhere, anywhere, something is boiling over. Finally, there's his mastery in mixing up tones and genres. The Beta Test might act like a sort of erotic thriller, but there's a lot of humor and comedy in it and, as usual, Cummings threads that needle perfectly.
Both Cummings and his colleague PJ McCabe have said that "the core theme was temptation" and as they wrote the script, the other themes came out. I do think they needed maybe a bit of restraint to focus the narrative. The film does have a lot to say not only about relationships, but also about social media, corporate Internet, data mining, and Hollywood, among other things, that it feels a bit muddled at times.
One thing is for sure, as I wrap up his feature filmography, Cummings has certainly become one of my favorite modern filmmakers. Not necessarily because of the quality of his work, which is there, but mostly because of his approach to the craft and how much passion and devotion he seems to put on his projects. The Beta Test is no exception. Although not as successful as his other films, it does show a desire to push through and step out of lines, and judging by how well his work is being received, it seems those consequences won't go away anymore.
Grade:
THE BETA TEST
(2021, Cummings & McCabe)
(2021, Cummings & McCabe)
"People are so terrified of stepping out of line ... consequences won't go away anymore."
The Beta Test follows Jordan Hines (Jim Cummings), a talent agent in Hollywood that receives an invitation to a "no strings attached sexual encounter in a hotel room". Despite being engaged to Caroline (Virginia Newcomb) and weeks away from their wedding, Jordan is tempted to follow through not realizing that in this day and age, consequences won't go away anymore.
This is the third feature film from Cummings, and it follows a similar template by presenting us an ordinary and insecure lead character thrust into an extra-ordinary situation. I've seen his other two films and most of his short films, and Cummings always excels. Jordan is indeed insecure, but the actor/director does a great job of portraying how he tries to hide that; be it by smooth talking potential clients or abusing of his power with subordinates.
Another trademark of Cummings present here is that constant sense of awkwardness around the characters. They're never at ease, and there's always that feeling that somewhere, anywhere, something is boiling over. Finally, there's his mastery in mixing up tones and genres. The Beta Test might act like a sort of erotic thriller, but there's a lot of humor and comedy in it and, as usual, Cummings threads that needle perfectly.
Both Cummings and his colleague PJ McCabe have said that "the core theme was temptation" and as they wrote the script, the other themes came out. I do think they needed maybe a bit of restraint to focus the narrative. The film does have a lot to say not only about relationships, but also about social media, corporate Internet, data mining, and Hollywood, among other things, that it feels a bit muddled at times.
One thing is for sure, as I wrap up his feature filmography, Cummings has certainly become one of my favorite modern filmmakers. Not necessarily because of the quality of his work, which is there, but mostly because of his approach to the craft and how much passion and devotion he seems to put on his projects. The Beta Test is no exception. Although not as successful as his other films, it does show a desire to push through and step out of lines, and judging by how well his work is being received, it seems those consequences won't go away anymore.
Grade: