In our amorphous society, emotional stability is not only hard to achieve, it is also difficult to maintain. Nowhere is this truer than in the fad-mad, glitter world of rock music. Stars come and go, their popularity dictated by the fickle whim of their worshiping fans. Alphonso is a talented young musician with all the making of a rock superstar. When an ambitious manager, Roger Vars, realizes his potential and mounts a huge promotional campaign, Alphonso is euphoric, sure that be has caught the brass ring of fame and fortune. But the pressures and demands of existing in such an amoral, carnival atmosphere gradually erode Alphonso's defenses, exposing the basic instability of his character and a dangerous potential for violence. Alphonso finds his dream turned into a nightmare world of depravity and madness, leaving him shattered beyond repair. BEAT THE MAN DOWN - the chronicle of a man struggling to achieve the good life, to fulfill the American dream. His story is a reminder to us all of the high price of success. A lesson to our society. A reflection of our world.