The Beat That My Heart Skipped

Main Plot

"The Beat That My Heart Skipped," directed by Jacques Audiard, follows the story of a young man torn between two worlds. He works in the shady real estate business, following in his father's footsteps, but harbors a deep passion for playing the piano, a talent inherited from his late mother. When he encounters his mother's former manager, he sees a chance to revive his musical aspirations and auditions for a prestigious conservatory. As he juggles his criminal activities and rigorous piano training, he faces intense internal conflict and external pressures. The film explores themes of redemption, identity, and the struggle to reconcile one's past with the desire for a better future.

Characters

• Romain Duris plays Tom, a conflicted young man torn between following his father's criminal footsteps and pursuing his passion for playing the piano.
• Aure Atika plays Miao Lin, a Chinese pianist who becomes Thomas's piano teacher, influencing his struggle between a life of crime and his passion for music.
• Emmanuelle Devos plays Miao Lin, a Chinese pianist who helps the protagonist, Tom, rediscover his passion for music amidst his criminal activities.

Ending Explained

In the conclusion of Jacques Audiard's film "The Beat That My Heart Skipped," the protagonist, Tom, faces a pivotal moment that encapsulates his internal struggle between a life of crime and his passion for music. Throughout the film, Tom, a young man involved in his father's shady real estate dealings, aspires to become a concert pianist, inspired by his late mother. In the climactic scenes, Tom prepares for an important audition, symbolizing his potential escape from his criminal life. However, his dual existence catches up with him when his criminal activities lead to a violent confrontation. Tom's mentor, Minskov, is brutally attacked, and Tom retaliates, resulting in a fatal altercation. The film concludes with a time jump, showing Tom years later. He has seemingly abandoned his musical aspirations and fully embraced his role in the criminal world, now running his father's business. The final scenes depict Tom as a hardened figure, suggesting that despite his talent and passion for music, he ultimately succumbs to the violent and corrupt environment he sought to escape, highlighting the tragic inevitability of his fate.