Secure Immaturity

Don’t be fooled by the absence of a coherent plot, the reefertastic dialogue, the implausible reality and the questionable ethics presented by Surfer, Dude because I guarantee you that it will defy your expectations. It did for me because, well, I had absolutely zero expectations for the film. It looked like a dud of a picture meant to show Mathew McConaughey’s pecs and lots of, like, totally radical waves, dude. ‘Jeez, stop harshing my buzz man with your criticisms’.

But hey, don’t put down your copy of Howl and patuli oil yet and get all pissy with me. . .I’m defending this unique and awe-inspiring movie. The film does not inspire me with awe because it is some kind of masterful work of art, it is merely fantastic in the fact that it was written, produced, and made, for starters. If one can understand and grasp the concept that man power went into putting the film together then you can’t help but be interested; interested, I didn’t say amazed. The movie, for all its zaniness, is at least original and, dare I say, uh, like, compelling? On the surface, much like Dazed and Confused (another Matt McConaughey flick), Surfer, Dude appears to be a film about surfing and weed smoking (and throw in some naked girls and a nasty corporate buzz kill too; what the hell!). And while all of these topics appear in Surfer, Dude (in massive quantities), the film actually attempts (and somewhat succeeds) at being a film about man vs. nature and nature vs. the machine, especially when the man and nature are united as one. Lastly, the film also examines artistic expression over corporate greed.

In those first two examples the film succeeds heavily. The third topic is less successful because we’ve all seen it before: the man whose ideals go up against the corporation. But before I, unexpectedly, give out massive compliments to the film, here is a brief rundown: Steve Addington (McConaughey) is a professional surfer. His living is decent. He is not against corporate sponsorship (with boards and tournaments) but he does have a strict code: as long as surfing is done his way without any demands then he can live his life to the fullest without a problem. Unfortunately this world view, in the current economy, is killing his funds. Addington is rich in spirit but lacking in income. His agent, Jack (Woody Harrelson), is trying to get Addington to embrace new money-making ways and not only join a reality show run by former surfer and now dickweed Eddie Zarno (Jeffrey Nordling) but become attached to Zarno’s surfing video game that puts the average player onto a board and onto the waves.

Addington hates the game because it takes away the natural inclination to surf and, well, he just isn’t feeling it. Zarno, a ruthless bastard, decides to make Addington’s life as difficult as possible, cutting off all sponsorship deals and tournament cash. Due to the corporate pressure and Addington’s conflicted issues (art vs. mainstream), nature takes it personally and deprives Addington of waves. The longest wave drought in California history is seriously killing Addington’s groove and destroying his will to be himself. A young executive named Danni (Alexie Gilmore) provides a romantic wrinkle to Addington’s tough times as Addington decides whether he should give in to Zarno (and thus return nature to his side) or die a homeless, waveless loser.

I’ve never doubted McConaughey and that’s why his films, even when they are utterly forgettable, at least leave his impression on your brain (see Two for the Money to see what I mean: the film is so bad Al Pacino can’t even save it but McConaughey was brilliant). Surfer, Dude strives to be different and though McConaughey uses his familiar range to convey a stoned surfer, we are utterly wrapped up in his quest for spiritual surrender and the need for one wave. . .just one! Though I’ve only surfed once, the clear love of surfing shown by the director and main star made me yearn for, if not a wave for me, a wave for Addington. McConaughey plays the lost soul brilliantly.

His supporting cast is less impressive but not due to talent, but material. The film is about Addington and everyone else is just background. His love interest is adorable but kind of pointless and Zarno is an easy villain who you hate from the beginning. Even Woody, who I absolute adore as an actor, seems bland. Without a commanding performance from McConaughey, the film would have been a disaster. Only someone with his unique skills can pull this questionable and experimental material off.

But experimental is the key word here. Just because the film is intriguing and sometimes thought provoking does not necessarily mean it is particularly good. Surfer, Dude is heavily flawed for a multitude of reasons. One, is the supporting cast, as mentioned. Two, is the endless physical ramblings of the main character. The movie clocks in at 90 minutes but will feel like a 72 hour road trip: sure, there are a few sites along the way but there are also patches of nothingness. While the wave problem Addington inherits is compelling, the movies attempt to tie spiritual freedom with the herding of goats is horrible. . .and is never dropped at any point. There are even fucking goats on the poster! Enough! Between this and The Men Who Stare At Goats, I don’t need anymore goats as metaphors for personal perseverance in my movies!!!!!

Most ‘thought’ films, as I’ll dub them, go against the grain and usually will turn an audience off rather then on. Surfer, Dude is likable enough that it might be salvageable even for the casual viewer. A good lead performance and some genuine laughs (not to mention some cool production value) can do that for a weak film. But the ‘thought’ films require multiple viewings to be appreciated and, well, Surfer, Dude isn’t a re-watchable movie for me. Sure, I’ll keep it on for a few seconds to see some cool visuals but to sit through it again would be a bit much and since the ‘thought’ film requires those multiple viewings, Surfer, Dude is ultimately a failure. But an A for effort. . .like, totally.

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