by Shane Conto, Staff Writer
Are you ready for the latest project starring one of cinema’s most enigmatic performers, Nicolas Cage? This man has made an art of being over-the-top and idiosyncratic when it comes to conveying emotion on screen. His choices are so strange and automatically make whatever film he is in more interesting. But sometimes Cage finds a filmmaker who is ready to match him in vibes and drama. Director Lorcan Finnegan certainly came to play with his new psychological thriller at an Australian beach, The Surfer.
This wild tale of toxic masculinity, gaslighting, and trauma has plenty of different ideas and themes to explore. The narrative, though, is not the most complex. With the story’s specific structure, Cage’s titular character (literally called The Surfer) systematically loses something. A surfboard. A phone. A car. We witness The Surfer’s spiral as he loses everything over the course of a few sun-beaten days. He also slowly succumbs to dehydration, sunburn, and hunger.
There are a few compelling characters along the way, from Julian McMahon’s toxic surfer guru who is trying to take masculinity back, to a traumatized and unstable bum (Nic Cassim), but the rest of the characters are one-note, aggressive jerks. For instance, The Surfer attempts to buy his old family home to impress his estranged wife and distant son. This film sprints to a wild and brutal finale that does a fine job of bringing the film’s themes about fatherhood and masculinity into focus.
The Surfer is a gorgeous fever dream drenched in oppressive heat, and will leave you burned for sure. There is a richness to the colors in every frame. The Surfer longs for the sunsets on his childhood beach, and Finnegan makes sure the audience understands why. The gorgeous beaches are hypnotic, and Finnegan crafts a vibes palette that shows just how unhinged and lost The Surfer becomes as the film goes on. Visual waves (that heat-induced aura) fit perfectly in the heat-stroke madness that develops, and intense closeups of the native Australian critters help create an uncomfortable experience (with the sound design delivering as well). In particular, there are lots of uncomfortable closeups of Cage, which give him the space to sell all the insanity swirling inside his head. The film’s propulsive pace continually heightens and tightens the tension. Overall, The Surfer is one of the most visually striking films of the year so far, thanks to the incredible work of cinematographer Radek Ladczuk, and the score (composed by Francois Tetaz) is otherworldly and fantastical, making the film a twisted, hot fairy tale.
But why are we all here? The Cage. This man has created an aura around himself and his work, and he brings it to The Surfer as well. His performance begins in a subtle and relatable place: He is just a normal guy with a common dream, to return to his childhood home and provide the same life on the beach for his son. But The Surfer’s wife has moved on, and his son is embarrassed of him. The film follows him on his fool’s errand to “make things better for his family,” but he is chasing his own past and potential. Cage carries that weight so well in his performance — it erupts when he is pushed, and Cage unleashes the wild acting madman that he is underneath the surface. His wild facial expressions and body language make every moment underneath the harsh Australian sun feel more impactful. No one sells madness like Cage, and he treats the audience to some grade A madness in this film.
The Surfer knows better than most films how to envelop its audience in a place and idea. It’s all about an ideal being chased by a man who has lost his way. The themes of community, fatherhood, and masculinity are poignant and impactful. This is a truly comfortable cinematic experience that pushes our limits with all kinds of disgusting displays. Finnegan crafts a striking yet horrifying cinematic experience that gives Cage space to shine in that Australian sunlight. It’s is not always a smooth or fresh ride, but it accomplishes its primary goal of unnerving you.
Rating: Liked It
The Surfer is currently playing in theaters
You can read more from Shane Conto, and follow him on Instagram and Letterboxd