Paintings beat film noir? (3,5)
I believe the answer is:
oil slick
'film noir?' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.
'paintings beat' is the wordplay.
'paintings' becomes 'oils' (oil paintings).
'beat' becomes 'lick' (synonyms).
'oils'+'lick'='OIL-SLICK'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for oil slick that I've seen before include "ecological problem at sea" , "Surface film, leaking from a ship or well" , "Common marine spillage" , "Crude contaminant" , "Film of viscous liquid floating on top of water" .)