POINT BREAK

a film by Kathryn Bigelow released through 20th Century-Fox in 1991

Faintly ludicrous, but full of life, Point Break manages to combine high-octane action with, at its core, solid characterization, as born-to-surf Johnny Utah bounces back and forth between beach and Bureau, struggling to do the right thing for his partner, Angelo; his lover, Tyler; and his friend and quarry, Bodhi.

The pairing of Keanu Reeves with Patrick Swayze is unparalleled, with Reeves just launching his career, and Swayze, at the peak of his, challenging convention by embracing a more dangerous bad boy/anti-hero role than he'd attempted in The Outsiders or Dirty Dancing.  Their work here is outstanding.

Occasional lapses in credibility are not fatal, and the film is always moving forward.  But none of the philosophizing deepens our understanding of the human condition; surfing is but a stoner religion, practiced beneath cathedral skies.
 

★★★☆☆

Best for ages 16+

FEATURING

PATRICK SWAYZE, KEANU REEVES, GARY BUSEY, AND LORI PETTY

© 2023 Ian C. Bloom