“Don’t live here, don’t surf here.” That is the message that is given loud and clear to anyone who wants to surf in the waves at the small Australian beach in The Surfer. Lured by the calm beach and the perfect waves, anyone who approaches these waters are greeted by a group of bullies protecting what they believe is theirs. The Surfer is the story of what happens when white men think they are gods.
Directed by Lorcan Finnegan, The Surfer stars Nicolas Cage and Julian McMahon. The Surfer (Cage) is a father who wants to buy the house he grew up in so his son can have the same upbringing he had. The house is unaffordable, but he is desperate to have it because it was once his father’s. To surprise his son, he wants to bring him out onto the ocean on their boards and show him the house. The Kid (Finn Little) could care less. He doesn’t even want to be at the beach because he’s supposed to be in school.
Surf’s Not Up, Bro
However, all The Surfer is focused on is surfing and showing his son this home. Once the duo arrives, they are met by a group of men called The Bay Boys. The gang is led by Scally (McMahon), who refuse to let them surf. While The Surfer does leave to take his son back home, he returns to the beach, determined to get out on the water and secure the house.
The entire film takes place at the parking area above the beach. The Surfer lurks in the parking lot as he calls his lender, visits the coffee truck, and refills his water bottle. There is a moment where things shift for The Surfer. The tone of the film also changes from an idyllic drama to a psychological mystery. The Surfer’s car is vandalized, then it’s gone, and he’s made to believe he never had a car to begin with.
Older Bullies Have Time Today
Scally’s group torments The Surfer continuously. To the point that he calls the police only to find out the officer is one of them. He eventually confronts the realtor, who is showing the house to another family. The man acts as if he has no idea who he is. Finnegan’s use of audio and his play on visuals are meant to make you question what is real and what isn’t. However, there isn’t enough here to make you care to know the difference.
The story unfolds with twists and turns that should keep you invested. However, The Surfer’s almost two-hour runtime seems to drag this story out well beyond what is deserved. Thomas Martin’s script is void of any depth or emotion. It presents itself as some sort of bizarre psychological thriller that doesn’t quite land. The Surfer experiences neverending taunts and finds himself in a more desperate situation by the final sequence. This is also when the truth of his experiences are finally revealed. Even with Cage and McMahon on screen, their performances did little to breathe life into this. It is a very bland story of two white men mentally battling each other over something they deemed as theirs.
The Surfer is now available on VOD.
