Beat the Devil Review

Beat the Devil is a witty depiction of a classic story, an attempt at eternal life. A life full of fortune and fame, everything thing you could ever ask for. But this famous life is on a timer and everyone wants more. Everyone is greedy. This includes the character James Brown, played by himself. He is unable to give up his star life even though the contract is running out and approaches the Devil (Gary Oldman) to renegotiate. The director, Tony Scott, uses editing techniques to make this film all the more dramatic. With the use of color editing and still frames the drama is more intensified. The Driver (Clive Owens) stays remarkably calm even when his life is put on the line for Brown's fortune and fame. Driver against driver, lives are gambled in a drag race. Throughout the race Brown and his driver stay calm and determined. They Devil starts off mocking the race with a joking manner, but when he realizes he may lose, his attitude quickly changes to rage and fear. The Devil ends up losing in a firery car crash, but you can't kill the devil. A theme throughout this film is one of greed. Greed controls humans. brown put his driver on the line, as did the Devil just to keep what they wanted. The song Crossroads really explains Brown out there in the desert. It talks of the sun coming down and begging for mercy from the Lord. And then the hotel is also called Crossroads. You must make a choice, left or right. And thats exactly what Brown and the Devil must do. The cameo at the end featuring Marilyn Manson is brilliant and adds another humorous element to the film.