Director: Lorcan Finnegan Starring: Nicolas Cage, Julian McMahon, Finn Little Running Time: 103 minutes
‘Cage Rage’ flicks have become a sub-genre of their own in recent years. The star’s manic, erratic line delivery coupled with some truly unhinged facial expressions have elevated middling films in the past, carved ‘Nic was here’ into the annals of meme history and, most recently, placed him in more & more bizarre films banking on his memeification to sell tickets. He’s been unfairly maligned as a leading man as a result, despite being an incredibly talented performer with a portfolio of really considered, well-crafted performances under great directors.
On the surface, The Surfer is the most recent addition to the Cage Rage phenomenon, placing a seemingly calm Cage in a series of escalating & hostile situations under the scorching Australian sun until he’s forced into drastic and dramatic action. But the finished product is something less overt and, thankfully, more nuanced than its counterparts. In fact, The Surfer manages to harness Cage’s now famous energy and play with it to deliver a hypnotic, existential thriller that sticks out from any comparisons that can be leveled against it. It’s by no means a perfect outing from either Cage or Irish director Lorcan Finnegan, but it can be a lot of fun.
Our story unfolds amidst the crashing of waves against the vast horizon, set alight by the blistering sun and golden beaches of coastal Australia. A man (Cage) pulls into a nearby car park eager to bring his son (Little) surfing on the idyllic beach where he grew up. When confronted by a group of hostile locals led by a mysterious figure (McMahon), Cage retreats to the comfort of his car to obsess over the interaction and, ultimately, find a way to surf the waves he has been banned from. As day rolls into night and night into day, the reality of his situation becomes less and less clear, leading him to question everything that led him to this point or, more specifically, to THIS beach.
Director Lorcan Finnegan fits The Surfer with an arresting and distinct aesthetic that grows more and more volatile the further our lead character spins out of control (and toasts under the scorching sun!): stunning vistas are punctured by old-fashioned crash zooms; heat shimmers bubble the air that sits between our characters; extreme close-ups on menacing players place us in our lead’s POV. There’s a clear love for Ozploitation Cinema underpinning the film’s style, like classics such as Wake in Fright and Long Weekend (although I must admit that is the depth of my Ozploitation knowledge!) and Finnegan has fun playing homage while adding his own usual surrealist touches along the way. All this coupled with a François Tétaz’s transcendental score, makes The Surfer a remarkably fun film to bask in.
But Finnegan’s greatest achievement might be the direction of his star’s performance. We spend the entirety of the film watching our lead character be provoked further and further, wondering when he will meet his breaking point. Other directors might have allowed Cage to reach this point quicker opting for a full-on crash out moment that would deflate the mystique and palpable tension. But Finnegan & Cage only show flashes of mayhem in the eyes of our lead character, even as his situation gets progressively more dire & depraved. Both filmmakers understand that, while a deeply troubled man, our protagonist is a good man that has been plagued by misfortune and is always striving for what’s best for his family: like surfers chasing the ‘big wave’, he’s chasing his break in life. There’s enough sincerity in the film’s execution of this sentiment that marks this effort as different to the ‘Cage Rage’ collection.
It’s a shame then, although not fully surprising, that when the film does seem to embrace this unique sub-genre’s tropes, it is at its least interesting. The resolve/breaking point inevitably comes after a long time of watching Cage suffer through chugging dirty sewer water, sleeping in cars full of trash, and nearly eating a rat! When it comes, it’s less cathartic than you’d hope and deflated by the expectation and early-signposting from the filmmakers. Personally, I believe a less obvious and more ambiguous/obscure ending would have complimented the movie far more: although we are treated to some great visual touches in the final 15 minutes that are really enjoyable.
All-in-all, there’s enough in this to pacify all sorts of Nic Cage fans (although if your taste is more Pig than Mandy, you won’t necessarily love it). Finnegan’s direction is as strong as it’s ever been, and I’m excited to see where he goes next in his career – wherever it is, I’ll definitely be buying a ticket. It’s worthy of your time and it will certainly lift a rainy, grey evening in Dublin with its stunning Aussie sunlight and golden beaches. Just don’t get lost amongst the sand!
(3 / 5)
The Surfer is available to watch exclusively in Irish cinemas from Friday, May 2nd.