The Beat That My Heart Skipped 2005

A young man grapples with a profound conflict between familial loyalty and a deep-seated urge to uncover his emotional self in a bid for redemption from his tumultuous past. Tom, portrayed by Romain Duris, possesses a remarkable innate talent for music, and his intense piano technique is often mirrored by his volatile reactions. This aggressive aspect of his personality ironically serves him well in his job as a real estate collection agent, where survival is key.

With a deep-seated passion for music, Tom frequently immerses himself in various melodies, always with his headphones on, rhythmically drumming his fingers to the sounds that resonate within him. His life takes an unexpected turn when he encounters a music promoter who once knew his mother during her days as a touring pianist. As fate would have it, Tom reveals his past of advanced classical piano training, sparking his desire to shift careers toward music under the guidance of this promoter.

Upon the promoter’s suggestion to line up an audition, Tom embarks on music lessons with Miao-Lin, played by Linh Dan Pham](/actor/linh-dan-pham). This relationship becomes pivotal, aiding Tom in channeling his pent-up aggression into his musical expressions. The challenges multiply as Tom finds himself supporting his father Robert (Niels Arestrup), who draws him into the morally ambiguous world of shady real estate dealings alongside associates Sami ([Gilles Cohen) and Fabrice (Jonathan Zaccai). These demanding tasks drain Tom’s spirit, forcing him to wrestle with his desire to truly pursue a musical life.

Tom’s internal struggle becomes even more complicated when he starts an affair with Aline (Aure Atika), the wife of Fabrice. Aline’s awareness of Tom’s role in covering for her husband’s indiscretions further entangles him in a web of deceit and moral dilemmas. Additionally, Tom finds himself caught in the crossfire between his father and a dangerous Russian gangster named Minskov (Anton Yakovlev), leading to life-altering repercussions that linger long after Tom attempts to forge a new path toward a brighter future.