“An F.B.I. Agent goes undercover to catch a gang of surfers who may be bank robbers.”
Fresh out of quantico recruit Johnny Utah (Keanu Reeves) ‘a blue flame special’ is partnered with seasoned FBI agent Pappas (Gary Busey) and tasked with cracking the case of the ex-presidents - A gung ho gang of bank robbers who have successfully evaded arrest and robbed Twenty-seven banks in three years. The ex-presidents are good at what they do. In and out within 90 seconds and leave no trace of themselves behind. Pappas has a theory - a crazy wild theory - that the ex-presidents are surfers. Together they investigate the surfer scene in the hopes that they can flush out the gang.
Opening on beautiful slow motion majestic surfing shots intercutting with hyper aggressive target range practice by Utah (Reeves) it perfectly encapsulates Point Break . A stylish action thriller which tries to capture moments of calm philosophy with explosive action. Directed by Kathryn Bigelow and written by W.Peter Iliff. At the time, Kathryn’s then husband James Cameron suggested that the final shooting screenplay was re-written by him and not Iliff (Iliff was paid a paltry $6,000 dollars to write the screenplay for Point Break) although Cameron is never given screenwriter credit he is on hands as executive producer.
Bigelow’s aggressive style holds the movie together in what many would consider a very standard plot. FBI agent infiltrates a gang and finds a kindred spirit that he both loathes and loves in equal measure.
Patrick Swayze as Bodhi is brilliant as the zen surfer cum criminal mastermind. The foil to Reeves straight laced ‘Blue flamer’. It’s clear that Reeves struggled at times in the acting stakes not nearly as commanding or astute as Swayze especially given some of the clunky lines that Swayze had to deliver - ‘It’s where you lose yourself and you find yourself’ - Referring to what riding waves is all about. Yet he makes it play, convincing you of his aura of a ‘messiah’ of the waves. It is a ‘bromance’ of hostile thrill seeking each not willing to back down from the other. Adrenaline junkies, with each high bigger than the last
Gary Busy is great as the wise and grizzled Pappas. Not that you’re coming to this movie for thespian-like acting. It’s all in the action and Bigelow delivers. It’s kinetic and fast paced, visually appealing stuff.
A particular highlight a foot chase midway through the film where Utah chases one of the ex-presidents through alleys, back gardens and houses in pursuit of ‘getting his man’. Bigelow and cinematographer Don Peterman films with long lenses in an anamorphic style that draws you in while still giving you a sense of location and depth.
Not that everything in the plot makes sense. It’s obvious from early on who the ex-presidents are yet it takes a long time to get to that reveal. Even then Utah goes on a sky diving ‘adventure’ with them. Indeed the movie is at its strongest when it focuses on the action. In that regard it’s a tour de force of excellent action direction. A brash and in your face aesthetic that are hallmarks of Bigelow’s style in the 90s.
Overall Point break is an excellent film and far better in every way than the subsequent remake in 2015 which substituted physical action for an unengaging CGI mess.