Movies You Gotta Catch: Point Break (1991)

Directed by: Kathryn Bigelow
Year: 1991
Genre: Action
Starring: Patrick Swayze, Keanu Reeves, Gary Busey, Lori Petty, John C. McGinley

Point Break is about A fresh faced, just out of Quantico, top of his class FBI Agent, Johnny Utah (Keanu Reeves) who is assigned to the Bank Robbery division of the FBI in Southern California. He is partnered with a wash out Old timer Angelo Pappas (Gary Busey) who’s been chasing a group of bank robbers who wear masks of ex-Presidents during their heists. The “Ex-Presidents” are meticulous in their attempts and only strike during the summer, leaving very few clues behind. Pappas discovers that the Ex-Presidents hang out at local beaches and are likely surfers, they send in Johnny Utah undercover.

Utah befriends a local surf betty named Tyler (Lori Petty) who helps him not drown while he’s learning to surf. Tyler is friends with a local surf guru Bodhi (Patrick Swayze) who leads a group of extreme surfers chasing the ultimate waves. They take Johnny under their wing and begin the ultimate extreme sports bro-mance. Utah is caught between duty and love when he discovers that his new girlfriends pals are the Ex-Presidents he and his partner have been looking for.

It’s the ultimate surf movie that still stands the test of time. Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker, Zero Dark Thirty) does a fantastic job in pacing and taking her time in letting a simple and obvious story unfold naturally on screen. She makes the viewer care about almost every character, both good and bad. In a cast of so many characters, that’s a hard thing to do in a short amount of time.

The Cast itself does a fantastic job! Patrick Swayze gives his all in the role of Surf guru Bodhi. It’s on par with his best work. In Point Break he was fresh off of his role in “Ghost” and he brought that same level of dramatic intensity to this role. It’s as memorable a performance as was in “Red Dawn” and “Dirty Dancing”.

Keanu Reeves was born to play a surfer/FBI agent. Like Ted and Neo, he’s a perfect fit. He probably gives his best performance in his career. He plays the FBI angle and the trying to fit in as a surfer cool guy well.

Gary Busey gives one of his most lovable and best performances as Pappas. He’s funny and, best of all, coherent! If you have the chance to watch the behind the scenes on the Blu Ray you’ll see what I mean.

Lori Petty is beyond adorable as the emotionally damaged but caring surfer girl Tyler. There’s also an awesome appearance by Tom Sizemore as a crack head punk rocker before he was a well “known” actor, sad how life imitates fiction at times.

The Cinematography and camera work in the film was groundbreaking and imaginative. This was a time before CG so all of the action was carried out by the actor and stuntmen. With the action being practical it really adds a legitimate level of danger then you get with today’s films where most things are obviously computer generated. Patrick Swayze and Keanu Reeves falling towards the earth with one parachute between them wouldn’t be the same if it was CG.

Anthony Kiedis from the Red Hot Chili Peppers makes a cameo. On the subject of music, the soundtrack is the quintessential 90’s collection of pre-grunge rock and roll and good tunes that helps make this a 90’s classic!

Utah: “This is for little rubber people who don’t shave yet!” When Johnny asking Pappas if it’s actually necessary for him to learn to surf.

Kid in Surf Shop: “Surfing’s the source, it’ll change your life!” Selling Utah his first surf board.

Bodhi: “That’s a surfboard alright. Reminds me of a 57 Chevy I used to have” Making fun of Utah’s Big Board

Bodhi: “Well, life’s not over yet man. You’re surfing” Bodhi to Utah when he finds out he’s a lawyer.

Harp: “…Now for Christ’s sake, Does any of you have anything even remotely interesting to tell me?”

Utah: “I caught my first tube this morning…sir.” -Utah and Pappas getting chewed out by their boss for “wasting FBI time”

Surfer Dude: “Go back to the Valley Man!” -Surfer to Utah when he punches him for taking his wave.

Pappas: “Utah, Give me two!” or “Give me two,Utah. Give me two!”

Bodhi: “It’s 100% pure adrenaline. Some guys snort for it, others jab a vein for it, all you have to do is jump for it!” When describing Sky diving.

Utah: “I am an F-B-I Agent!” Arguing with Bodhi