Point Break (1991)

Elevator Pitch: A bunch of bank robbers, wearing masks depicting former US presidents are making hay in LA, and thumbing their noses at the security services. A pair of FBI agents Pappas (Gary Busey) and Johnny Utah (Keanu Reeves) believe that the robbers are surfers, and so Johnny is given a surf board and told to integrate with the beach population. When he nearly drowns he is rescued by Tyler (Lori Petty) and they become friends. After mistakenly identifying a group of drug dealers as the ex-presidents, Johnny beings to suspect Bohdi (Patrick Swayze) and his friends. But after the robbers are seen at work and chased across town they identify Johnny as a cop. Can he survive?

Content:  There is implied sex, some unrelated brief nudity and a bit of moderate boozing. There is a lot of surfing and time spent on the beach with Johnny at one point threatened by four unpleasant men, but saved by Bohdi. The FBI mistakenly raid a suburban house which turns out to be an accidental drug bust. The ex-presidents carry out bank robberies. There is a car chase and a quite lengthy chase on foot. Bohdi and his guys take Johnny sky diving.

A View: This film probably has a bit of a cult following amongst surfing people, or those who would like to be surfers, and the director was feted for her visual presentation. The actual robberies look good with the presidential masks being a bit of inspiration. If I’m honest I am not a fan of surfing, for me rough seas are something to keep away from, and there was a bit too much shouting. But amongst all the dross we are offered it is worth a view.

Here are three other Kathryn Bigelow movies which were well thought of: The Hurt Locker, Zero Dark Thirty, Detroit .