Review of The Last Wave (1977) by Steve M — 24 Feb 2006

The Last Wave.

Starring: Richard Chamberlain and David Gulpilil.

Director: Peter Weir.

Attorney David Burton (Chamberlain) is hired to defend some Australian Aborigines against a murder charge. However, as he tries to build his case, he finds that no one is willing to discuss the killing, and he soon suspects that there is more going on here than is obvious. When he finds himself haunted by strange visions, and Sydney is struck by storms and torrential rainfalls, Burton finds himself drawn deeper and deeper into a realm where reality and mythology seem to be interchangeable.

"The Last Wave' is a movie walking a dangerous line. It starts like a mystery film, but veers in and out of horror territory in fairly short order. When it's over, the viewer has been taken on a dramatic and highly suspenseful ride (the exact nature of which I am loathe to say more about that what I did in the summary for fear of spoiling things), but some of the mos pressing questions raised in the story are ultimately left without firm answers. That could easily have made watching this film an excersize in frustration, but the technical aspects of the film are so expertly done, and the actors all deliver such solid performances that the bewildering climax is highly satisfying.

For a glimpse at a curious native culture, and a chronicle man's journey to a place that may or may not be Reaility "The Last Wave" is one to catch.