In the 70s two brothers battle killer waves, conservative society and ruthless bikers to kick-start the modern surf industry.
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I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.
When a movie has you begging for it to end not even half way through it's pure crap. We've all seen this movie and this characters millions of times, nothing new in it. Don't waste your time.
It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.
Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.
Drift (2013)Drift is an Australian film based loosely on true events of two brothers during the 1970s and the birth and rise of the surf industry in Western Australia. Determined to escape a life of factory work and petty crime, Andy (Myles Pollard) and his wayward surf prodigy younger brother Jimmy (Xavier Samuel) decide to start their own surfing brand called 'Drift', which produces custom wetsuits and new shorter surfboards. Initially the business creates some excitement amongst the local surfing community, but the challenges of living in a conservative town begin to hinder their growth. They must overcome pressure from the local police, banks and even a gang of drug dealing bikers. It's surprising to also see 'Avatar' and 'Terminator: Salvation' star, Sam Worthington play a hippy drifter in a supporting role, who is supposed to represent the era's anti-establishment vibe. A lot of people are reluctant to watch Australian films as they are viewed by many as cheap and 'crap'. I had a similar view many years ago, but if you actually give them a chance, you will be surprised how many quality films have been made and don't receive the attention they deserve. Australia has produced an abundance of surfing movies and documentaries over the years, with its rich culture and history in contributing to the industry. This is the first time that I am aware of a movie focusing on the involvement in Western Australia however, as the attention is usually targeted along the east coast. This was a really pleasant surprise for me and has left me thinking about it for days after. Not that it was a mind blowing film, or one of the best Australian films made. Far from it. I just felt it was the perfect 'Aussie' film, compared to Baz Luhrmann's big budget flop 'Australia', which gave such a forced representation of the stereotypical Australian outback. Very different films I know, but this just seemed so real and authentic in contrast. Once again I hope I haven't hyped this up too much, but having entered into it with such little expectations, I really enjoyed it. Some of it is still pretty cheesy and the acting is a mixed bag. I thought the soundtrack was a standout featuring so many local bands, complementing the themes of the film. Considering the small budget the cinematography and camera work was superb. My Rating: 6.5/10For more Movie and TV News, Reviews and Rumours go to: www.facebook.com/tvmovienews
As far as the sports genre is concerned, those featuring surfing are about as niche as you go. Only 12 films have ever grossed more than $1 million at the domestic box office let alone found any measure of breakout success. Those that did find some semblance of an audience, like Soul Surfer and Point Break, had the added aid of family appeal and incorporating a heist element respectively, but for the most part they land with a whisper – not anything like the thundering, mammoth waves these daredevils tackle.But in spite of this subgenre's lack of mainstream appeal there is one thing they – and Australian import Drift – prove, and that is surfing looks damn cool, especially when presented so slickly and in such a high energy fashion. So it's a shame in the case of this period drama (which transports us back to the early years of the sport in the land down under) that the wet and wild sequences trump anything transpiring on dry land and that most of the human drama relies on unnecessary plot turns and the usual formula that accompanies almost all sport based fare.Drift follows two brothers Jimmy (Xavier Samuel) and Andy Kelly (Myles Pollard) and their mother who reside in a small seaside town following a late night escape from their abusive father/husband. Already carrying a passion for surfing, the two grow with the hobby and view their actual jobs as mostly inconveniences. It's one day when their mother's seamstress occupation produces a homemade wetsuit that gives Andy the idea of marrying passion with profession and they endeavour to open their own surf shop with customized gear and boards. But of course, nothing is as easy as it seems as money, gangsters, the allures of the hippy age and rivalries all act as roadblocks to a newfound dream.Things are kicked off even further by the arrival of a duo of righteous surfers played by a tubular Sam Worthington and his plutonic companion Lani, played by Spartacus: Blood and Sand's Lesley-Ann Brandt. So with this rag tag gang assembled they seek to revolutionize how surfers view the gear they use: surf attire made by surfers, not made by "the man" and promoted by models who have never hit the waves a day in their life. The premise, retro feel and fine performers make Drift seem like the right idea of how to approach this sport – using it as a backdrop to a family drama and a struggle for the little guy (with some awesome surf sequences tossed in for good measure).While this is the case some of the time, Drift invests in too many unnecessary plot threads, including one about some thugs who for some reason have an issue with the Kellys, which eventually involves into an all out war as one of their own gets mixed up in the drug trade. With the Kellys already struggling with a mortgage, their start-up business and the trials of growing together, this added kink proves to be nothing more than a distraction (and is furthermore concluded in a laughably stunted fashion). There is also a bizarre storyline involving a completely underdeveloped, inexplicably evil banker trying to steal the Kellys farm, er, house which adds nothing but a cartoonish villain that makes Mr. Potter look chipper.Worthington's character JB is also a bit of a perplexing entity, though the Aussie native's performance is certainly among the most natural he's ever given. His tippy motif is fine enough, never becoming to philosophic and grating, but his ideals seem completely jumbled. One moment he's stating (regarding the Kelly's plan to make their own surf line) that you can't beat the man by becoming the man and at another instance saying that you can't always fight and should sometimes just resign to what is. Additionally scenes of him using his passion for photography and filmmaking to help make these brothers distinct in the industry go nowhere until the very end, deviating from the main story for what become perfunctory attempts to add substance.Then we arrive at the climax, which of course involves a local surf competition, the winnings from which could save the family farm, er, house and get those gangsters off their back. Again, while impressively staged (and not concluded in the most ridiculous way possible) it collectively doesn't get much more clichéd than that, and when you lump in the montages and other corny moments it truly softens the experience.Not content on just examining an interesting moment in history, Drift piles on dramatic excess and contrived turns which are muted to some effect only by universally strong work from the cast and, again, those gripping surf sequences. So while certainly not boring and far from offensively bad, Drift isn't compelling enough to warrant anything other than a rental, and definitely not enough to spur any sort of revolution for the surf drama.
are you ready for this because i feel this will become a future cult classic if not a box office hit although it does have potential to get money and get critical reception.i was surprised when i saw this film running in Karachi Pakistan so i decided to catch the film today,believe me i am not into surfing or sports but this is quite possibly the best film i have seen.Plot: set in 1970s 2 brothers living in Australia who deals with a lot of problems with gang members,cops in their way but got big dreams to be kings in surf business.I've seen a different poster here saying this involved Zack Snyder which is totally wrong ,its was just a mistake i guess,there are films like blue crush & chasing mavericks I've seen good reviews about them still looking forward to seeing them drift is no other its similar concept but the approach took by the writers & the team of this film is shown through the second half of the film which lead to the satisfying climax.they shot it so well plus when legendary Panavision camera is with you what more you need.the cast is new but i really liked Myles Pollard & Lesley-Ann Brandt,there are also some scenes missing from the film i think because some IMDb pictures show it clearly,anyway this film is not only for surf fans but it can become anyones favorite,it does not need critical reception at all audience will decide that, a fine story is presented here,makes me want to explore more of this genre,its a treat for Australian cinema loversmy rating is 10/10 Drift 2013 goes in my list of personal favorite movies of the year for me , i totally recommend this film
There's been plenty of surf films and documentaries over the years, and if you're a surfer or surfing fan, no doubt you've seen them all. Drift is the latest surf film paying tribute to and giving us a glimpse into the Australian surf life when popular surf brands were just beginning.Set in Western Australia in the early 1970's, Drift is the story of surfer brothers Andy and Jimmy Kelly (Myles Pollard and Xavier Samuel). Andy is dissatisfied with working long hours at the local mill, while trying to keep younger brother Jimmy from a life of crime. With help from their mother Kat (Robyn Malcolm), and childhood friend Gus (Aaron Glenane), they start a surf shop in their backyard garage, making custom-made wetsuits and new surfboards.Along the way they meet and get inspiration from surfer photographer/filmmaker JB (Sam Worthington) and his Hawaiian friend Lani (Lesley-Ann Brandt). Their success and hard work comes at a price though as they deal with members of the community who are not ready for their innovative ideas and trouble from a violent bikie gang.The acting is fine all round. Myles Pollard, who also co-produced the film, is solid as the responsible older brother. Xavier Samuel, in one of his best performances, brings charisma and energy to his role. Sam Worthington is excellent. He is perfect as the free-spirited hippie. He seemed to enjoy this role more than some of his recent work and it was wonderful to see him in an Aussie film again.The film does a great job of bringing the 70's back to life. You gotta love JB's colourful bus and the classic kombi vans! The surfing photography is exciting and breathtaking, and the cinematography by Geoffrey Hall is simply beautiful. The soundtrack, a mix of 70's classics and more recent tunes, really adds to the cool laid back vibe.Directed by Ben Nott and Morgan O'Neill, Drift is well-paced and there's a lovely balance between the surfing scenes and the dramas of everyday life. I honestly would've loved to have seen a few more surfing scenes. And even if you're not interested in surfing, this honest Australian film will inspire and engage.The cast and crew looked like they had fun making this film and it shows. A snapshot into the Aussie surf life, it was a highly enjoyable and upbeat movie experience.