This is a frustrating film in which elements of genius are restrained by structural flaws and veins of unrealized potential. On the surface, it a superhero origin story by way of 20th-century American literature, tracing the painful birth of the Beat Generation through the eyes of Allen Ginsberg (capably played by Daniel Radcliffe) as a bright, yet anxious and uncertain freshman at Columbia in the 1940s. The Beats can be hard to depict on screen with gravity and sincerity, and this is a problem with which this film wrestles, often unsure if it is awed or amused by the main characters' macho, precocious let's-change-the-world ambition and theatrical behavior.

Also, a handful of famous actors portraying famous figures in their early years, such as a comic and quietly creepy Ben Foster as William Burroughs and a highly underutilized Elizabeth Olsen as Jack Kerouac's girlfriend (and future ex-wife) Edie, are featured too often to register as cameos or tertiary concerns, yet not explored to the extent they deserve, rendering them colorful distractions from the absolute ace up the film's sleeve: Dane DeHaan as a borderline footnote of the Beat era named Lucien, a charming and intense schoolmate whose perfectly composed, Oscar Wilde indebted persona disguises a soul tortured by self-doubt and a problematic relationship with homosexuality. The dynamic of the character, a magnetic poseur who drew together greater minds who would incite a literary revolution, is fascinating in and of itself, and it is riveting to observe as his various longings and torments expand, fester, and culminate in an act of haunting violence. DeHaan, truly among the most promising actors of his generation, delivers a near perfect performance as Lucien, and the film is at its best when his character is the direct focus as he casts a spell over Allen in the midst of a headlong rush toward brutality and fate.

B-

DeHaan and Radcliffe are really good here. Although I didn't know much about these events before going into the film, I was easily gripped into it and it is fairly entertaining from start to finish. I especially loved the opening to the film (the sneak peek at events to come). There should have been more Elizabeth Olsen as she once again does a brilliant job in her role which is sadly very short here.

It's an interesting film with very good performances but it really felt like something was missing. I do agree that more Elizabeth Olson would have been nice too. She's great in her small role.


7/10 (B-)