Customer Reviews

Surfer Dude : Widescreen Edition

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(13)

 

 

Dudes, comparisons to Spicoli aside, this is a unique little comedy about the religious philosophy of Wake 'n' Bake Surf Culture. Matthew McConaughey is absolutely brilliant as So Cal surf legend Steve Addington. A modern day stoner Buddha seeking enlightenment thru the meditation of carving waves, riding girls, and sipping doobage. McConaughey walks thru almost the entire film shirtless and barefooted, wearing only a pair of baggies. Even when McConaughey is just walking down the street, he's surfing. He's like a fish out of water, brah. His swaggering swaybacked bowlegged performance is fully righteous. And, totally funny. (Not quite, but almost as good as his role as Wooderson in DAZED AND CONFUSED.) His performance is DEAD ON TUBULAR. (Ladies, you're gonna want his bod.)

Obviously, this film is not for everyone. But, this short comedy is rife with religious and aesthetic symbolism. I was stoked by its heaviosity, brah.

Like an aesthetic Christ, The Addman is a free spirited surfer, baptized in The Ocean, who cares nothing for the material world of money and fame. He seeks only religious adoration and worship of God thru The Living Wave, The Sacramental smoke of The Wisdom Weed, and The Unification of The One Body thru sexual concourse with chicks. Upon returning home after being away from Cali on a surfing sojourn, Addington is tempted by The Devil into a starring role on a TV Reality Show about surfers, ala Big Brother, and a chance to profit from his digital image in a virtual reality game called FREE SURFER. Representing Lucifer, ex-surfer and evil TV producer Eddie Zarno (Jeffrey Nordling) entices The Addman with a totally humongous bag of sheckles. "We own his image. And his image is reality." But, Addington is hip to the fact that the illusion is transitory and meaningless. While contemplating a monitor of virtual tropical fish in Zarno's beachhouse studio, The Addman poses this saltwatery Zen koan: "Something's wrong with these fish, dude." No way, brah. The Addman refuses to sell his soul to The Devil for material gain. "I'm not some _ssclown in a greenroom. I'm a surfer, dude."

For what does it profit a dude to gain the world, and lose his wave?

The Devil metaphorically breaks The Addman's skeg, and there is a sudden drought of waves. "Something's bogus, dudes." Totally like Christ, The Addman wanders the desert beaches in prayer, for MORE than 40 days and nights, fasting from the pleasures of The Scented Lotus Blossom and the sustenance of The Good Green, until God's return on The Waves of Everlasting Life Giving Water. It's The Addman's Dark Night of The Soul, man. BRAH?! Why hast thou forsaken, dude?!

Willie Nelson as John The Baptist, who passes his shepherd's rod to The Addman. Will Addington become The Good Shepherd of The Goats? Yay, though I surf through the barrel of the shadow of death I will fear no shark infested waters, for thy rod and thy board they confront me, dude.

Who else but Woody Harrelson, as The Apostle Peter and The Addman's dope smoking manager? "We got financial worries, brah."

Will the Addman sacrifice himself on The Cross of Virtual Surfboard to save the souls of his brahs? You grommets should ask yourselves only one question: WHAT WOULD THE ADDMAN DO?

A perfect Double Feature alongside Swayze's POINT BREAK. Funny, symbolic, and full of topless chicks and bud. (Bitchin'!) This film is defintely worth the rent for Matthew McConaughey's performance, and for all the stoner surfer aesthetes out there. It's like THE LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST for surfers, dude. Hodads, landlubbers, and non-philosophers might want to avoid this one.

"Love and waves, that's what we need in these dark days."

Whoa!

I see so many reviews about this that say it isn't surfing. How many of you have hung at the beach and surfed every day? I know lots of surfers who are just like Addington. If you hang at one break long enough you'll find them and generally it doesn't take long! I enjoyed this movie cause it was about a surfer who finds his "world" under attack and has to deal with the greatest hardship (no waves) that could happen. Have you ever lived through a wave drought? Usually won't last longer than a week but it sucks none the less! It didn't have slash and burn hardcore surf footage: so what? It's not a surf video. Having Keith Malloy double as Addington in the water was good style. He rips on a longboard. I rate this highly because it's an accurate depiction of what some surfers are like and how they are focused on nothing but waves!

For those who rated this 1 star..... after reading each of your reviews careful and thoughtfully, I understand why you would rate this film the way you did.... you don't get it. And that's okay. For those who want a movie that goes way outside the lines, then this is a movie you will enjoy. Enough said on that.....

This is a simple movie, not made to be dissected, competed with or watched for the plot or action. rather, the film provides a taste of SoCal that is partly mythical and partly disappearing and for that alone i loved it.

there's something wholesome about the film, left me feeling good which does not happen too often for me, and almost never with the large commercial blockbusters. to see Willie Nelson's smile, that alone was worth waiting for. mcConnaughey does a good job, as does Harrelson & most of the crew.

in other words, this is not about surfing. it is about friendship and about knowing what you love.

I can only guess the studio didn't promote this movie because it's a solid movie. The directing and editing are fine, and I thought the actors sold their parts. I haven't been this moved by a movie since "Vanilla Sky". Someday you'll stumble across it on cable and I really think you'll enjoy it.

Surprisingly, this self-indulgent (Matt McC's own words) effort is really fun. I grew up with guys like this in sunny Calif. And, believe it or not we're still grown up.

Bought the DVD for my wife. She has been watching the whole thing, the movie, outtakes, interviews. Package came in quickly and looks like new. Great deal.

Best movie I have seen in a while so good and Matthew Mcconaughey is awsome in this movie. Quick service to.

The movie was entertaining and had a lot of funny parts. Warning, it has a lot of nudity, couldn't watch it with my daughter. All in all I thought it was a good movie. Well written and the dialogue seemed natural. I would have liked a little more surfing scenes in it though, but that's just me missing the ocean during winter.

You've already heard all the hype surrounding the release of S.R. Bindler's masterwork "Surfer, Dude" on DVD. Now, it's even being rumored that Matthew McConaughey (The Wedding Planner, Fool's Gold) may score an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of legendary soul surfer Steve Addington. Some critics even speculate an Oscar sweep, including but not limited to, a 'Best Supporting Actor' to Harrelson and 'Best Achievement in Directing' to Bindler.

"Surfer, Dude" is a film that works on every level, and it draws its energy and wit from the deft hand of filmmaker S.R. Bindler (Hands On a Hard Body) and its ensemble cast. Bindler first shocked the film world in 1998 with his compelling documentary about a small town Nissan dealership in rural Longview, Texas. Despite his only short stint in Hollywood, Bindler was offered the juggernaut script of "Surfer, Dude" and rose to the challenge.

This film boasts powerhouse performances by its leads, a thought-provoking premise, breathtaking visuals and elegant cinematography. Bindler draws inspiration from the greats like Robert Altman (The Player), using long takes to encourage his actors to stay in character (I remember a shot lasting nearly 11 seconds!). The film has even earned recognition from French cinematographer Pierre Aïm (La Haine) for its ethereal capture of Malibu.

"Surfer, Dude" is a rich, complex character study which succeeds in large part from Matthew McConaughey's brilliant performance. His genuine and sensitive depiction of a marijuana addict is reminiscent of Nicolas Cage's performance as an alcoholic in "Leaving Las Vegas". With obvious help from the genius script McConaughey simply sings Cory Van Dyke's dialogue and totally immerses himself in the character. He accurately captures the feel of a surfer in angst and gives his character the depth it deserves. As far as McConaughey's physical appearance in the film, well, if he wasn't acting he'd most likely be an underwear model, so you can imagine why "Surfer, Dude" is the perfect Matthew McConaughey vehicle.

The film gets elevated to another level with help from the supporting cast and emotionally demanding story. Jeffrey Nordling (D3: The Mighty Ducks, Turbulence 2: Fear of Flying) gives a gripping performance as Eddie Zarno, a former surfer turned corporate scumbag who tries to blackmail McConaughey's character. The action sizzles, the drama never slacks and the laughs keep rollin' in. This film doesn't end as a neatly wrapped package with a bow either, it leaves you wanting and craving more. If you're a film historian or even just a regular film buff, "Surfer, Dude" deserves a spot in your collection.



P.S. - Criterion please give "Surfer, Dude" the treatment!!!!!