Beef (2023) Drama Movie Review
Netflix's gripping series "Beef" thrusts together two individuals from opposite walks of life in Los Angeles, capitalizing on the prevailing undercurrent of frustration and anger in the country to weave a captivating storyline. In a recent visit to the doctor, when asked if I was anxious, my response mirrored a sentiment many share today – "Isn't everybody?" The prevailing mood seems to hover between anxiety, frustration, and anger, and creator Lee Sung Jin skillfully taps into this national psyche to create a TV show that boldly oscillates between comedy, drama, and thriller genres. Anchored by outstanding performances, "Beef" challenges conventions by allowing its protagonists to be villains while also holding up a mirror to the audience. After all, we've all had bad days, and we're all just a moment away from a regrettable decision.
%20Drama%20Movie.jpg "Beef (2023) Drama Movie")
The series kicks off with a chain of poor choices as Danny (played by Steven Yeun) faces frustration while attempting to return items to a big-box store. His simmering anger peaks when a reckless driver, Amy (played by Ali Wong), aggravates him in a parking lot. Danny, fueled by irritation, starts tailing her through the streets, driven by a mix of anger and curiosity about her identity. However, what begins as a road rage incident evolves into something more ominous when Danny discovers Amy's license plate number. The first few episodes artfully unfold, delving into Danny and Amy's worlds, gradually intertwining their stories in a way that grows increasingly perilous.
Danny, the focal point of the series, is a man grappling with numerous challenges. His attempt to return items in the opening scene was not just about a frustrating shopping experience; it was connected to a past suicide attempt. A Korean immigrant working tirelessly as a contractor, Danny strives to bring his parents to the United States. However, he is haunted by the illegal activities of his dangerous cousin Isaac, forcing his family to leave their homeland. Compounded by the responsibility of caring for his brother Paul, whom he perceives as a lazy straggler, Danny's life is a pressure cooker. For him, the road rage incident becomes a symbol of everything going wrong – a simple attempt to pull out of a parking spot turned into a confrontation with a stranger who seems to embody all his troubles.
On the flip side, Amy leads a vastly different life in the upscale art scene of Los Angeles. Early scenes cleverly blend moments of Amy and her husband George discussing big business deals and home renovations with Danny constantly checking his meager bank balance. Despite their starkly different daily lives, Amy grapples with the pressures of family, questioning if she's sacrificed too much for her career while raising her daughter. She's wary of women flirting with her attractive husband, hustling constantly. From her perspective, she had the right-of-way in that parking lot – who does this guy think he is?
"Beef" unfolds as the tale of two individuals who appear to have taken the high road too many times in their lives. Danny finds Amy first and does something terrible in her home. Amy, realizing the situation, retaliates by Yelp-bombing his business and essentially catfishing his brother. However, "Beef" cleverly avoids being a predictable series of escalating bad decisions. Without giving away spoilers, there are moments when it seems like Danny and Amy might put things behind them and find happiness – Danny in a Korean church community and Amy gaining the professional respect she deserves. Yet, the repercussions of earlier decisions linger.
Steven Yeun, undeniably one of the best actors of his generation, makes intriguing choices in his portrayal of Danny. He captures the body language of a man tired of losing but unable to break the cycle of making increasingly significant mistakes in a desperate attempt to win. Yeun avoids the clichés of an angry, young character, infusing Danny with decency, regret, and relatable exhaustion without overplaying his flaws. Wong matches Yeun step-for-step, delivering the best acting of her career. Amy could have been a one-dimensional, unrelatable character, but Wong and the creators prevent that, making her decisions believable through a well-crafted backstory and genuine human emotion.
For those potentially put off by "Beef," it might be the rollercoaster of tone shifts. One moment, it appears to head toward explosive violence, only to suddenly shift to a more comedic tone. The unpredictability, however, adds to the tension, making each scene potentially funny or terrifying. "Beef" keeps you on your toes, demonstrating that your entire life could change with the honk of a horn.