portiuncula m
Big Wednesday is a somewhat controversial movie in terms of its perceived merits. It was
not an initial
success. No more than its principal
star, Jan Michael Vincent it had its flaws but
had its virtues too. The virtues exceed the vices in incredible cinematography and outstanding performaces by a young cast. This
movie gets better with time and I thorougly commend it to all - especially in our newly troubled times.
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
11/24/24
Full Review
Dave S
Spanning a 12-year period starting in 1962, Big Wednesday is the story of three friends (Gary Busey, Jan-Michael Vincent, William Kaat), all of them surfers and each of them trying to navigate their way from their teen years into early adulthood. Their story is told by bookending life events with surf footage, which turns out to be both a blessing and a curse. Some of the surf footage is spectacular, but the constant montages eventually feel repetitive and suck the narrative flow out of the movie. On the other hand, some of the life events are nicely handled and touchingly nostalgic, but many feel either pointless or idiotic, including a lengthy house party brawl and a moronic attempt to dodge the draft at the induction center. It’s by no means a bad film, but by the time things wrap up you may find that you couldn’t care less about any of the characters or their circumstances.
Rated 2/5 Stars •
Rated 2 out of 5 stars
11/03/24
Full Review
CodyZamboni Z
Surprisingly nostalgic and emotional, a tale of friendship, spanning 14 years, bonding around surfing, Lot of solid surf footage, Nice use of Hawaiian music,
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
08/26/24
Full Review
C.C. R
Best movie! A classic!
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
03/31/24
Full Review
Dennis D
This is one of my all time favorite movies-- just like my era from 1964. All the actors were perfect--- and the scenes were real from the old surf era! This movie is a MUST SEE for anyone in the 60s--
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
02/18/24
Full Review
Matthew D
Big Wednesday is the ultimate surfer film.
Director John Milius' coming of age drama Big Wednesday (1978) truly the greatest film about surfing and friendship. Milius' direction is ultra realistic and entertaining. Milius lets us see what his youth as a party guy and surfer god was like in the 1960's and 1970's. The surfing of raging waves is pure movie magic. You must see the unfathomable riptides and big wave surfing in the wondrous finale to Big Wednesday.
Big Wednesday features tubular hangouts with friends growing up together is touching and hilarious. The Vietnam war segments are startlingly real. Big Wednesday is a masterpiece of cinema that showcases groovy surfing and wicked filmmaking. Big Wednesday is about the adoration of the wave, a love of surfing swells and good times, and when to know you're an adult.
Writers John Milius and Dennis Aaberg create a super realistic and moving coming of age drama story based on Milius' own life. I loved how unabashed Milius is about how The Vietnam War torn lives apart besides what his wild youth was really like. There's a lot of thoughtful dialogue in between the boys like in Stand by Me, but I really appreciated the poetic narration. Seeing their friends grow up, die off, or surf on by feels poignant.
You get calm surfing skills, love making, road trips, unruly party crasher brawls, strip club dances, strip club fights, Vietnam drafts, and deep contemplations of life. The wave riding really feels like a reprieve from the hard realities of life. Bear says it from the beginning, "Nobody surfs forever." Bear is full of great advice about how to live free. I liked him talking about living right, like standing by your friends, and being a role model for the kids around you. Casting director Karen Rea found great actors and realistic surfers for Big Wednesday's ensemble cast.
Jan-Michael Vincent is really touching as the alcoholic surfer Matt Johnson, reformed into a solid surfer friend. This has to be his most realistic and engaging acting. Lee Purcell is quite pretty as the likable Peggy Gordon. She's a very strong supporting actress in Big Wednesday, who holds down Matt when he really needs her.
William Katt is thoughtful as Jack, who serves his country at the cost of the love of his life. He's really quite moving and contemplative in his dramatic acting approach. Patti D'Arbanville is lovely as Jack's pretty, sweet girlfriend Sally. Gary Busey's lively and insane surfer Leroy is such a blast to watch.
Sam Melville is legitimately profound as the surfing mentor and surfboard craftsman Bear. Seeing his Bear end up destitute is really tough. He made me feel his love of the waves. Darrell Fetty is hilarious as their good pal Waxer, who just wanted to surf any time he had to spare. Robert Englund is nice as their surfer friend Fly in an early career role. Barbara Hale is quite sweet and supportive as Mrs. Barlow. Fran Ryan is cute as Lucy.
Reb Brown's massive Enforcer is a scream with his fierce fighting and strong friendship. Joe Spinell is a riot in his cameo as the army Psychologist evaluating the crazy Gary Busey. Gray Frederickson is funny as the doctor in the army. Two-time Pipeline Masters surfing champion Gerry Lopez cameos near the end.
Editors Robert L. Wolfe and Carroll Timothy O'Meara use surfing the waves as transitions as they cut together all sorts of radical surfing footage. Cinematographer Bruce Surtees shows off endless expanses of ocean, gnarly waves, and stunning surfing prowess from the cast. Big Wednesday's bright Sunlight and neat perspectives of the water is breathtaking. I love the dark shadows enveloping the characters at night. It is one of the best looking pictures ever made. Production designer Charles Rosen's surf shacks and modest homes all look like real California spots. Dean Mitzner's art direction makes the waves look like all there is in the world. Ira Bates' set decoration leaves surfboards everywhere as props for good vibes.
Composer Basil Poledouris' film score for Big Wednesday is mesmerizing. He'll have romantic orchestral compositions to gentle string and guitar tunes. Basil's lovely music is as wonderful and beautiful as his iconic Conan the Barbarian score. The soundtrack is a fun mix of 1950's and 1960's songs too. Makeup artist Jack H. Young ages the entire cast between surfer youth, older hippies, or stricter military style. Bette Iverson's hairstyling is super cool with bleached blonde surfer dude curls on the guys.
In short, Big Wednesday is a magnificent picture full of heart for a compelling 120 minutes.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
05/20/23
Full Review
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