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Point Break (1991)
Point Break (1991)
1991 | Action, Mystery
Cult thriller from Kathryn Bigelow: the film that persuaded the world that Keanu Reeves could be an action hero and Patrick Swayze could act. Clean-cut FBI agent Johnny Utah (like that's a real name) goes undercover in the world of surfing to catch a group of elite bank robbers, but finds his resolution tested by his growing attraction to one of them (and his ex-girlfriend).

A solid thriller is elevated to the level of something special by Bigelow's superb direction (banging action and extreme-sports sequences), plus genuine depth of character. Keanu still looks sort of bovine in places, though showing genuine signs of improvement, while Swayze is something of a revelation as an ambiguous spiritual guru/gang leader. Lori Petty is also good, but mostly decorative and underused. All the more impressive when you realise it has basically the same plot as The Fast and the Furious but still feels like a proper movie for grown-ups.