A tough guy finds himself in conflict with his tender, aesthetic side. We've been here more than a few times before: Golden Boy, Humoresque, James Toback's Fingers--of which the awkwardly titled The Beat That My Heart Skipped is an acknowledged remake. Not to mention the upcoming Hustle & Flow. You know the drill: chap earns his living in a low, muscular occupation but secretly yearns for a career as a musician.
In the case of Jacques Audiard's film, The Beat, his protagonist Tom (Romain Duris) is in "real estate." Translated, that means he beats up the tenants in the low-rent buildings...