Cast
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Keanu Reeves
as Agent Johnny Utah
Patrick Swayze
as Bodhi
Lori Petty
as Tyler Endicott
Gary Busey
as Agent Angelo Pappas
John C. McGinley
as SAIC Ben Harp
James Le Gros
as Roach
John Philbin
as Nathanial
BoJesse Christopher
as Grommet
Lee Tergesen
as Rosie
Chris Pedersen
as Bunker
Vincent Klyn
as Warchild
Julian Reyes
as Agent Alvarez
Daniel Beer
as Agent Babbit
Anthony Kiedis
as Tone
Dave Olson
as Archbold
Crew
Director
- Kathryn Bigelow
Producer
- Peter Abrams
- Robert L. Levy
Reviews
Wuchak
**_The fast and the furious on the beaches of Southern California_**
A young FBI agent (Keanu Reeves) is sent by his superior (Gary Busey) to investigate a surfer gang to find out if they’re a notorious group of bank robbers. Patrick Swayze plays the guru-like leader of the gang while Lori Petty is on hand as a surfer companion. John C. McGinley appears as the FBI chief.
"Point Break" (1991) is an action/crime thriller set mostly on the beaches of SoCal that obviously influenced "The Fast and the Furious" (2001) plot-wise. This is the better movie due to Swayze’s charismatic character and the interesting dynamic between Utah (Reeves) and Bodhi (Swayze), not to mention the relationship of Utah and Pappas (Busey) as well as Utah and Tyler (Lori). So, while this is a snappy, action-packed flick, it doesn’t forget to provide human interest.
In some ways it’s even great with certain seeming plot holes easily explained if you think about it; others maybe not so much.
Since it was made in 1990 it has an 80’s vibe (in a good way) with a pre-grunge soundtrack. Nirvana’s NEVERMIND wouldn’t debut until 2.5 months after its release.
The film runs 2 hours, 2 minutes, and was shot mostly in greater Los Angeles (Malibu, Culver City, Santa Monica, Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach and Venice). The surfing scenes were done in O'ahu, Hawaii; the skydiving scenes at Lake Powell, Utah; and the closing Australian sequence at Cannon Beach, Oregon.
GRADE: B+
Sep 8, 2022
The Movie Mob
**Katherine Bigelow creates a beautiful complex action blockbuster with magnificent depth and chapters.**
Wow. Just wow. Point Break is a deep character-driven film full of top-notch action, mind-blowing stunts, and incredible performances. These actors made you fall in love and deeply care about each character and moment in the film. Each actor's portrayal was thoughtful, dedicated, outstanding, and worthy of much more acclaim and awards than received. This film transformed Keanu Reeves into an action hero, with Point Break only being the first of many 90s action movies he led, including Speed and The Matrix. Gary Busey nailed his mentor role as Agent Pappas. But the stand-out performance was Patrick Swayze as the cool and captivating Bodhi. His performance was shown brilliantly through his eyes, which said much more than any dialogue. Unfortunately, the real crime was Swayze didn't even get a nomination for this astonishing role. The complex relationship between Reeves and Swayze's characters as their friendship develops and their conflicting sides of the law is the focal point of the movie, providing an excellent foundation for the fantastic action sequences. Point Break is an incredible movie about friendship and justice, with skydiving action fight sequences, robbery heists, and chase scenes. Katherine Bigelow's film remains one of the greatest action and heist movies of the 90s and the inspiration for the Fast and the Furious franchise.
Sep 9, 2022
CinemaSerf
On this face of it, this ought to be rubbish... a testosterone-fuelled story of beautiful people who rob banks to fund their hedonistic lifestyle that largely revolves around anything that causes their adrenalin to rush, but it isn't rubbish. Kathryn Bigelow keeps the pace end-to-end, and both Keanu Reeves ("Johnny Utah") and Patrick Swayze ("Bohdi") are clearly having fun as the FBI agent pursuing the gang of rubber mask clad "ex-president" beach-bum robbers. Reeves is easy on the eye, but pretty wooden and sure, the plot has more holes than a string vest but the story isn't meant to be deep and meaningful. This is just a fun adventure escapade that sees our hero go surfing, sky-diving and the cinematographer is clearly in his element, too. The ending, though cluttered up with some lovey-dovey nonsense, is actually quite exhilarating as the pair seem to develop just a little bit of a bromance... It's an updated variation on the traditional cops 'n robbers affair that offers much by way of escapism on a wet, wintry evening and ought to be judged accordingly.
Aug 26, 2023
Thematic Analysis
This high-octane Action/Thriller/Crime film balances spectacular sequences with character-driven moments. Unlike many films in the genre, Point Break distinguishes itself through its exceptional pacing and meaningful stakes for its protagonists.
Director Kathryn Bigelow brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1991, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its critical acclaim reflects its artistic achievements and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Point Break took approximately 22 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $24.0 million, the film proved to be a financial success, earning back its investment and more.
- The final cut of the film runs for 122 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 177 minutes long.
- The film contains approximately 2490 individual shots.
- The screenplay went through 11 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
- The costume department created over 486 unique costume pieces for the production.
Historical Context
- In 1991, when this film was released:
- Globalization was accelerating economic and cultural exchange.
- Digital technology was transforming the entertainment industry.
- Independent cinema was growing in influence, challenging the dominance of major studios.
How This Film Stands Out
While Point Break shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike The Big Lebowski, which takes a more conventional approach to its subject matter, Point Break subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like Hunting the Phantom and All That We Destroy explore similar territory, Point Break stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: July 12, 1991
- Runtime: 2h 2m
- Budget: $24,000,000
- Revenue: $83,531,958
Where to Watch
