- 1991movierewind
Episode #88: Point Break
Listen to Episode 88 of the Podcast here while you enjoy the show notes.
SUMMARY - In Point Break, FBI Agent Johnny Utah (played by Keanu Reeves) is working to find the culprits behind a string of bank robberies calling themselves the ex-presidents. It turns out his best hope is to go undercover and infiltrate the local surfing scene led by Bodhi (played by Patrick Swayze). Can Johnny separate his personal life from his professional life to stop the criminals?
Screenplay by W. Peter Iliff; Directed by Katheryn Bigelow; and released on July 12, 1991.
FILM DISCUSSION
The movie starts with Keanu doing target practice in the rain (for some reason) and rolling around for some reason). 100% Utah. Good job.
The bank robberies are full of quick cuts and help set the tone for the action
Memorize this ass. It's important.
The camera is always moving even when two people are sitting in chairs talking.
But at least that also means we get the second best surfing cinematography of the year. The best being Rolling Thunder, of course
There's a lot to like with the action and the camerawork. The tight, fast-paced running through LA alleyways
The highly impressive skydiving sequences
The car chase and improvised flamethrower. Tons of great stuff all around
We wish some of the supporting cast had more of a verbal role in the picture. There are essentially 4 characters that we're expected to care or learn about.
Lori Petty does a great job in her role as the love interest that Utah manipulates in order to infiltrate the surfing world.
Swayze is solid as the mysterious thrill seeker who we all know is the bad guy.
Jon thought Keanu's performance was relatively lifeless, but Nikki didn't feel the same.
Some of the character choices do not make any sense to us, but that doesn't take away from what is ultimately a truly enjoyable movie.
Awards Talk: At the MTV Movie Awards, it was nominated for Best Action Sequence, and Swayze was nominated for Most Desirable Male, but he lost to his co-star Keanu Reeves. It was also part of the Best Performance by Rock Stars fake nominees segment and was in the quotes montage.
TRUE CRIME & POP CULTURE
This week the true crime didn't inspire the movie. The movie inspired the true crime.
Here are a couple articles talking about bank robbers that used president masks:
The 50-year storm that Bodie is chasing is a thing...kinda. If nothing else, it's now an event in Australia
Lastly, Keanu may have won the MTV award, but Swayze got the People Magazine nod
RANKINGS & RATINGS
Nikki 1-5 star scale - 3 out of 5
Jon 0-4 star scale - 3 out of 4
Would you watch it again? - Yes, we would both rather watch this again over watching the remake for a first time. It may not be a perfect movie, but it has just about everything you could hope for in a cops & robbers action flick. Plus you're not likely to find too many movies of the era with better surfing and skydiving scenes.
If you want to watch Point Break, as of this recording in November 2022, it’s available on Netflix, Digital Rental, VHS, DVD. Check your local listings.
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