BPM (Beats per Minute)
An intimate, politically charged portrait of ACT UP Paris activists whose collective fight against AIDS becomes inseparable from love, illness, and grief.
Overview
A powerful exploration of activism and love in the face of a devastating epidemic.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- urgent
- intimate
- witty
- socially conscious viewing
- arthouse film night
What critics said
Critics broadly acclaimed the film as a moving, engrossing, and intimate portrayal of ACT UP Paris and the AIDS crisis that avoids melodrama while lingering emotionally.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
ACT UP Paris meetings, demonstrations, arguments, and direct actions occupy as much attention as the protagonists' private lives.
The AIDS epidemic is presented through both political campaigns against indifference and Sean's rapidly diminishing physical strength.
Nathan enters ACT UP Paris as a newcomer, allowing the film to immerse viewers in activist language, rituals, conflict, and solidarity.
Debate, dancing, sex, humor, and collective energy coexist with HIV-related illness and the knowledge that lives are being cut short.
Films like BPM (Beats per Minute), and why
The Normal Heart
shared intimate political activism, queer community focus, historical AIDS crisis, and emotionally direct drama
Pride
shared lgbtq rights themes, ensemble community storytelling, and a blend of social history with personal relationships
120 BPM
shared AIDS-era grief, queer identity, intimate illness narrative, and melancholic emotional intensity
Milk
shared politically engaged filmmaking, collective action, and urgent historical drama centered on marginalized communities
Movie Details
- Director
- Robin Campillo
- Release Date
- 2017-08-23
- Runtime
- 143 min
- Rating
- 7.7 / 10 (1407)
Cast
- Nahuel Pérez Biscayart
- Arnaud Valois
- Adèle Haenel
- Antoine Reinartz
- Félix Maritaud
- Ariel Borenstein
- Aloïse Sauvage
- Simon Bourgade
- Mehdi Touré
- Simon Guélat
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, MUBI, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is BPM (Beats per Minute) about?
- An intimate, politically charged portrait of ACT UP Paris activists whose collective fight against AIDS becomes inseparable from love, illness, and grief.
- What is BPM (Beats per Minute) like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of BPM (Beats per Minute) as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is BPM (Beats per Minute) violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in BPM (Beats per Minute) as mild.
- What did critics think of BPM (Beats per Minute)?
- Critics broadly acclaimed the film as a moving, engrossing, and intimate portrayal of ACT UP Paris and the AIDS crisis that avoids melodrama while lingering emotionally.
- Which films are like BPM (Beats per Minute)?
- Films with a similar feel include The Normal Heart, Pride, 120 BPM, and Milk.
- How long is BPM (Beats per Minute)?
- BPM (Beats per Minute) runs 143 minutes.
- Where can I watch BPM (Beats per Minute)?
- In United States, BPM (Beats per Minute) streams on Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, MUBI, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
