Surfer, Dude Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
"love and waves, that's what we need in these dark days."
A wave twisting tale of a soul searching surfer experiencing an existential crisis.
| Matthew McConaughey | Steve Addington |
| Alexie Gilmore | Danni Martin |
| Jeffrey Nordling | Eddie Zarno |
| Sarah Wright | Stacey |
| Zachary Knighton | Brillo Murphy |
| Todd Stashwick | Vic |
| Cassandra Hepburn | Luanne |
| Nathan Phillips | Baker Smith |
| Ramon Rodriguez | Lupe La Rosa |
| Travis Fimmel | Jonny Doran |
| K.D. Aubert | April May |
| Brooke Allison | Reporter |
| Nancy Fish | Margaret |
| Stephanie Bartak | Bikini Girl |
| Brad Ashten | Surf Punk #2 |
| S.R. Bindler |
5.00 out of 10 (368 votes)
Visitor Reviews
What a complete waste of time ...................
posted on 06 Jul 2009This is by far one of the worst movies I've seen in my life. The word "dude" is used so much it starts to wear a person down after about the first 10 minutes of the movie. The plot is weak, the whole story line is lame and the ending is the only great part of the entire movie. It means the movie is over and you can go back to watching something worth spending time on. The whole movie reminds me of someone trying to re-invent a small part of Hunter S. Thompson's life. The idea of a moron walking around spurting out the word dude all the time, stoned and drunk out of his skull and trying to find a wave to ride makes no sense what so ever. Avoid this piece of crap at all costs.
57 days without surf
posted on 04 Jul 2009There are a couple main plot points here: some business type money hungry former surfing bastard is trying to harsh his mellow and get Surfer dude to sell out and it's been weeks and then months without surf in California and thus pushing Surfer dude to do things he doesn't want to do.I didn't expect much from this movie but I got a lot out of it. I really loved it. Maybe it's because I was trapped on a plane and this was sort of an escape. There is a little bit of deep meaning in this movie if you think about it.If you are looking for one of those modern dumb comedies with hilarious laughs this is probably not it.If you like the stoned out surf culture and can laugh at it but still can see the heart in surfing and the deepness in it and in not selling out, you will like this movie a lot.
More money, more problems
posted on 02 Jun 2009There are a lot of mixed reviews about this movie. Some surfers rate it negatively because they think the movie is about surfing, and feel it does not portray the majority of surfers well, or feel offended by it.The movie is about ONE surfer, and the way he looks at life, not wanting to be part of the capitalist system others try to include him in.The plot is that. People trying to get the main character to do what they want, and him refusing to cooperate, brining upon him the hardships people with money can give you if you go against them.Nonetheless, the surfer in the movie stays true to his principles and doesn't give in.This is not a movie about surfing, or surfers, but about how the main character thinks surfing is all there is to life, and how he doesn't want to get involved into anyone's game, or be anyone's monkey.The film contains very nice shots, and a very nice soundtrack too, as well as some very funny moments. This is a movie to sit back and relax, and it might help you trivialize some things, like the state of your bank account.
Dude, where's my plot?
posted on 02 Jun 2009Whoa, dude, it like, totally doesn't exist.This has got to be the slowest and most shallow film I've ever seen. The plot is so thin it's nearly invisible. Once the conflict is set up it's mostly abandoned, and when the resolution comes, it's abrupt and shamelessly contrived. The story is resolved within a span of 5 minutes at the end, and nothing that comes before has any bearing on it. Also, despite the claimed genre of "comedy", this only barely qualifies. Aside from a few funny lines here and there, this is really not a funny movie. It doesn't even seem to be intended as such. Perhaps it was supposed to be a "surfing movie" instead, which it might have accomplished, if not for the remarkable lack of actual scenes involving people surfing.This is more like a long stoner fantasy. Really, it's like seeing the dream of a passed-out stoner. You can just see one waking up and going, "Dude, I just had this dream, where I was Matthew McConaughey, only I was like, this famous surfer, and then these corporate dudes were trying to bring me down, but I didn't care and decided to sit on the beach for a couple months." Or to draw another comparison, it's like listening to an hour and a half of psychedelic music, in that the sober people in the room will be bored, but the stoned people will see all kinds of depth and colors.This seems to have been made by stoners, for stoners. The only reason I can come up with for this getting made is that it was written, greenlit, directed, and in the end only appreciated by people whose minds have been burned out by too much sun and too many drugs. It's so slow and uneventful that you could watch it and follow the story accurately while simultaneously doing your taxes.But hey, maybe I just don't have enough laid-back beach bum in me to appreciate something like this. It was after all a good-looking production, with good acting, lots of hot women in bikinis (and a couple without), and pretty beach scenery. Though again, if, like me, you insist on things like an actual story and interesting events occurring in your movies, you're probably best off skipping this.
Hollywood Still Doesn't Understand Surfing
posted on 13 May 2009As a core surfer for the past 10 years, a Surf Film-maker and professional photographer, this movie is a disgrace to real surfers around the world. Of all the strides the image of surfing has made, this movie sets us all back. There are many professional surfers that are articulate and professional, unlike Mcconaughey's character smoking dope and talking like Spicoli. Mcconaughey's acting skills are beyond this role. I personally know surfers who are lawyers, doctors, business owners, firefighters, and many other professional occupations, yet this movie portrays surfers as a bunch of loser stoners. There is no plot to speak of in Surfer Dude and the character development is weak. To top it off, the movie has a flat spell for over 2 months in California. The Gulf Coast of the Florida Panhandle doesn't even have a flat spell that long, much less the Pacific ocean with all the groundswells that traverse it. With the lack of surf in the screenplay we also suffer the opportunity to even see "actor face imposed" surfing footage in the film. Even Blue Crush was more accurate and respectful to the sport of Surfing than this movie.
Dream about it, at least.
posted on 05 May 2009Here is this movie and here I am, someone who liked it. A movie which got huge slaps in the face by critics pointing that this isn't more than something stoners would make for other stoners; and myself who never touched weed or any drugs.Even so, I liked Surfer, Dude. Better to say: I loved it. Because it helped me rethink what is important in life and what isn't.The main character (Addington) represents everything that people living in the cage of the consumer / mass society can only dream about, or should be dreaming about.He is the free man, part of and living with nature. Not a 9 to 5 office worker like the most of us, not someone having only twenty-some days off a year. Not working for the profit (which actually goes to other one's pocket), he is living for living, enjoying life, experiencing the mystery or magic of nature.There is a big contrast in the movie. The artificial vs the real. The video game and reality show versus the real surfing and life under the sun. Inside and outside.Addington is like a creature from another world, but at the end of the film it feels like he is the one from planet Earth (with the goat shepherd and the fisherman) and on the other hand we who made the fields chessboard looking, made the trees stand in order and in the exact same distance from each other in the forest, we are the aliens, or robots. He is the relaxed one we are the frustrated ones. He does only the positive things, and none of the negative ones, not even for money. "Not feelin' it. Not into it". This thing is double stated with the soul/Seoul people scene after the cast, at the very end of the movie.Actually I recommend Surfer, Dude for those, who feel frustrated after work or feel like there is more to life than doing overtime for surplus production.Yes the plot is simple, but has important questions. I accept the statement that the flow of the story is very slow, too. And overall, it could be a little bit better, like everything else.But the stills are beautiful. And in its slow way it gives me a long smile instead of periodic laughter.Chill out with the movie, dude. And think about your life for a minute.
If you are a surfer you will love this movie
posted on 05 May 2009Other reviewers are right.. this is a pretty "empty" movie for a regular person.But.. if you ever had the opportunity to stand up on a wave and surf it you will surely love this movie.If you ever felt that sensation of being free and without stress, just enjoying your life after a great surfing session you will like this movie.This movie is all about concentrate on your passions, on what you really love and just forget about every other useless things our modern life tends to make important.Really recommended if you are a surfer.
Simplicity
posted on 27 Apr 2009This movie is about simplicity of life being threatened by too much greed. Our American life has decayed so far out of simplicity that there's now a whole generation that has no idea what a simple life is like. No wonder so many people don't get this movie! I surf and have for 20 years. I know a lot more surfers who are like these guys than aren't! All these guys whining about this not "being real" in regards to surfing need to lighten up a bit. Surfing used to be a lot of fun until it became mainstream and overcrowded. That's why I usually paddle over to the next peak to get away from the crowds even if it's not as good. This movie is more about a guy who loves his lifestyle and having it threatened by extinction than anything else. Take example from Tyler Durdin and "just let go". Let go of expectations and you might just find a gem right under your nose.
WTF-Surfer Dude
posted on 25 Apr 2009Hey Matt, just because you sport board shorts & a eight pack, doesn't give you a license to be a Douche Bag. Please come down to the pier so I can throw a Burrito at you! you are better suited playing Harvey Milk, than surfer dude, and if its about a dude, why wasn't Jeff Bridges involved in this fiasco, Dude! Stay in Austin, smoke dope, and fling cow pies, yippe ki yay! Take your husband screenwriter with you along the way to surfer dude hell. also please give back the paycheck for this film, I want my money back dude!I If you wanna be a ken doll join Chippendale's. Hey Matt, the only thing you got right was the soundtrack! Dude, your 3rd Eye Vision when it comes to surfer dude
You guys are seriously harshing my morning mellow
posted on 15 Jan 2009I recently had the chance to see this movie, and I don't understand why so many people hate it. I don't think that this film was intended to be a deep think-piece. The people who have come on here complaining about the film seem to have missed the message, which is a shame, because they are the ones who could have benefited from the films laid back messages the most. Addington lives a perfect, untainted existence. He is free of all of the stress and flakiness (for lack of a better word) that permeates modern American life and culture. This movie helped me realize that relaxing and enjoying the things that bring joy to my life are equally, if not more important, than participating in the gigantic rat race that has come to dominate all aspects of modern day life. I admire this movie and its simplistic message, and to those who felt this movie was a waste of time, I would recommend relaxing and appreciating the stress free atmosphere that is present throughout the film.
A total whipeout!
posted on 05 Jan 2009The abortion of thought that went into this film will shock and astonish you. For Mathew McConaughey, studying a role requires little more than his imagination. Rather than given an insightful view of a surfer's life, the audience is simply subjected to an hour and a half of what McConaughey THINKS is a lifestyle that everyone will fall in love with.Surfer Dude lacks all logic and structure. There is not enough substance here for a full movie, and yet, somehow, they managed to record SOMETHING for 85 minutes. The level of contempt McConaughey has shown for his audience is appalling.The movie starts out giving you the gut feeling that they are faking it, that they are some how cheesing it up to make fun of a horrible stereotype. Very quickly you find out that they are absolutely serious, and like a child finding out Santa isn't real, all hopes for a decent movie are lost.About half way through the film, the faint whispers of a plot start to shine through like sunlight in deep water, then the big dark rain cloud that is McConaughey moves in. Isn't there a definition for what a movie is? Simply recording onto 85 minutes of film does not constitute "movie." We're trying to have a civilization here Mathew! From this point on, I am avoiding all McConaughey movies. I will no longer waste my life on truly horrendous trash like Surfer Dude. On my death bed, I will say, "I wish I never saw surfer dude with Mathew McConaughey." and my kids and grand kids will all say "Who's Mathew McConaughey?"
A boring disappointment with no plot
posted on 30 Dec 2008This film is about a world famous surfer who tries to live according to his ideals, and resists a very generous offer to endorse a surfing video game.The plot of "Surfer, Dude" is paper thin, so thin that is almost non existent. The film is just 75 minutes long excluding the credits, and there is not even material to cover half of the screen time. Usually when the plot is non existent, there is something else to make up for it. In "Surfer, Dude" there is no fun, no humour, no moral teaching, no witty lines and not even nice scenery to look at. The only thing that they could come up with to keep viewers interested is plenty of nudity by numerous topless women. And seriously, does Matthew McConaughey really need to be topless all the time? "Surfer, Dude" is hence reduced to a narcissistic vehicle for him to expose himself. "Surfer, Dude" is a boring disappointment.
Catastrophe !
posted on 10 Dec 2008Brutal! Matthew M. is just too cool for words. That must be what he believes if he signed on for this project. It's as if he's okay with the movie not having a beginning, middle, end or anything that resembles a story. He seems to be perfectly okay with just having his face on the screen, acting too cool for words and uttering ultra "spicoli-esc" comments.I recently viewed, what I thought was the worst movie ever made, "Extreme Movie" and figured nothing would be able to contend with this!!, The I saw "Surfer Dude".This movie compares to nothing I've seen before. It's hard to put into words how pathetic this thing is. I chose to add "contains spoiler" to this comment, even though there is no way to spoil the plot in this film, because there isn't one! The movie starts to irritate at it's onset. It goes nowhere and offers nothing. I did not laugh once. I found the supporting cast to come across as completely uninterested and just plain bored. This was quite obviously just a vehicle to get McConaughey's face back "out there". I was disappointed to see that Scot Glen had participated in this, he's done some good things in the past.With Matthew wearing the same pair of "cat in the hat" surfer shorts for the entire length of the movie, which goes on for months, I now have no doubt that, the rumors about fellow actors complaining about working with him because of his poor hygiene and foul body odor, are nothing but absolute Fact! The only conclusion I can come up with for this movie being produced is perhaps it's the economy. I guess we should expect to see more "cheap" films coming our way with actors feeling forced to participate in them just so they can keep their faces in ours!
You're invited to catch a wave, and enjoy the fun!
posted on 12 Nov 2008Surfing, dude? You bet! Woody Harrelson is an acting chameleon! Every time the camera lens focuses on him, he becomes a different character. I think that's what makes actors interesting, and Woody does it on the level of a skilled, consummate professional. In this film, Woody shows his comedic side, and he does it as his hilarious best! I'm very much impressed by Woody's versatility.What I like about this film is that it's laid back, you enjoy the scenery, the waves, and the babes. The film makes me feel like a surfer bum, and I enjoy every minute of it! Steve Addington (aptly played by Matthew McConaughey) has a dream to become a surfer in his very own, custom-designed kind of Eden. The continuity in the film is purposely confused, in order to give the viewer a feeling of Addington's initial frustration. His dream does not work out, to his satisfaction, in the film's beginning. But, thankfully, mid-way through the film a 'mermaid' saves the day, and Addington's dream sees a delightful 'climax' (if you'll forgive my unfortunate choice of words). Matthew has sex appeal, and he shows it, but not in a narcissistic way. Both Matthew and Woody show their love for the environment and, when the film ends, I just don't want to come home from the beach. It is obvious that Woody, Matthew, and the entire cast had a great deal of fun while making this film. It becomes a delightful and somewhat zany surfing party, and the viewer is cordially invited to participate in the fun. Unlike "Tropic Thunder" (2008), there are no 'inside jokes'. Every move is caught by a camera lens, and the viewer is always 'let in' on each happening.The film takes me, personally, back in time. And, it is a such a refreshing memory! I can almost hear the Beach Boys singing, and 'the Gidge' (Sandra Dee) is no longer lost. This film is my kind of paradise, and I rank it an 8 out of 10. Grab a surfboard, smell the salty air, and let's go surfing!
Hey Dude, mellow out :)
posted on 10 Nov 2008I like films like this more and more.Not much to say, this film won't stress you out, won't make to many demands on you, like a surfer girlfriend, and you don't have to even pay that much attention.The goats, you gotta enjoy the goats. You didn't enjoy the goats? I don't know what lest to say, like the movie itself.Mellow out, enjoy life and enjoy this flick. A rumpas through the sun with McConaghey as the leader of the tribe.Could have had more surfing. Music was alright. I liked it.This film works because it is a blueprint for a life that definitely has its appeal. Be Your own man, surf, get the girls, be true to yourself, enjoy life, be one with nature.
Hmmmmm....
posted on 04 Nov 2008What can you say about a movie that features Matthew McConaughey playing a surfer/stoner, with Woody Harrelson as his sidekick, that's barely able to muster a single laugh in 90 minutes? About all you can say is that someone dropped the ball and that someone would have to be first time feature filmmaker S.R. Bindler. Instead of clever dialogue and an engaging plot, we are treated to lots of "stoner lingo," tight shots of girls' asses, and plenty of topless scenes thrown in for good measure. In other words, the sort of movie a 17-year-old kid would make with his camcorder and a couple of buddies. Remember those Burt Reynolds movies in the 70's that basically had no plot but gave Burt an excuse to make a film with his pals? This is Matthew McConaughey's homage to those. We're even treated to a cameo by Willie Nelson in a role that serves no purpose other than as an excuse to have him in the movie. On a positive note, "Surfer, Dude" makes "Sahara" look like Oscar material.
Every surf movies ever made is nothing compared to this one
posted on 31 Oct 2008This is an awesome surfer movie...blue crush, North Shore, point break, and all the rest are good but this hits the top.This is the story of one surfer trying to live life with the least amount of anything but surfing. His agency wants him to be something else, a living movie advertisement, but he refuses to do so. This story doesn't need any epic plot, no epic love/drama, no fights or controversy. the reason this movie doesn't appeal to most is because they wanted the complicating story line but that's not what this movie is about. It's about surfing and smoking weed and just living life 'j.k. livin' means just keep livin. I recommend this movie to all people that just want to chill for an hour and a half.I love this movie, I wanted to just jump into the movie and exist in it, cause there wasn't any major thing going on it was just life without the complexity.
it's not bad, it's not good... it's harmless surfer fluff for the whole stoner family
posted on 23 Oct 2008I rarely do this, and I either feel vindicated or embarrassed doing it, but I went into Surfer, Dude prepared to not like it at all. Matter of fact, I rented the movie (from my library on a 25 cent charge) with the intent to have a good laugh at it, and maybe get in with my wife on a Mystery Science Theater 3000 style poke-and-jab job. As it turned out, by the near of the end of its slim 82 minute running time, we felt the same way: it's not hate-worthy. It's simply too filled with well-intentions to simply stomp and kick the crap out of. While one can argue a lot of misplaced ego-trips go that way (i.e. M. Night Shyamalan) I didn't really sense hubris or too much faulty technical craft going on.It's simply what it appears to be: a bunch of surfer dudes, and I include in that group the filmmakers and McConaughey, got together after many years of prep (you read that right, many years, like seven according to the DVD making-of) and made a movie for themselves, and the California surfer community. Indeed there's been a minor cult that has risen in California around the movie; screenings spring up with masses of dirty and stoned surfers trudging into the theater ready to soak up the waves. At least, that's my assumption having never been to the California surfing community nor a surfer's cult movie screening. I can't help but wonder if it was for the 'plot' or the 'comedy'.So why isn't the movie hateful? For one thing, for all of his incessant I-don't-need-to-wear-a-shirt-ness, McConaughey is a likable guy as Steve, a guy who has a craving for a wave, all the time, every time it's possible. There is not much conflict to speak of except this: either Steve rides the wave, or he doesn't, and for much of Surfer, Dude he actually doesn't ride waves but rather try and fend off a corporate leech that wants to sign him up for a reality TV show gig. That's basically the whole movie. Oh, and Willie Nelson shows up as a goat farmer who smokes lots of doobs (of course), and Woody Harrelson pops up from time to time as a, uh, manager of sorts who smokes a lot of doobs (of course) and is sometimes hard to differentiate from McConaughey if not for the shirt situation and, uh, other actors like Jack's father on Lost.Here's what it comes down to: there are plenty of totally cringe-worthy moments, scenes where laughs are attempted and fall flat, and some lazy cinematography and music and a story that is so easy to read through you know who every character is and what their destination will be within ten seconds of seeing him or her (and that goes for miss wannabe Baywatch star too). And yet, it's also a laid back movie for a niche crowd that doesn't try to please to audiences that aren't meant for it. Maybe I wasn't meant for it either, and I do like some of these actors and comedies with stoners and surfing and waves and uh virtual reality plots hatched by... oh what the hell, it's a retarded puppy of modern movies. It may be stupid, but it's still a puppy!
A movie worth watching
posted on 03 Oct 2008Hey. I saw that the people below were not happy with the movie. But personally I wonder if these people are just not getting what the movie is about. At first I thought the movie didn't make sense, and perhaps the scene order was a little off. But this movie is pretty much like Superbad in that it is more like everyday life turned upside down, and that the movie follows Steve Addington's (Matthew McConaughey's) journey as a surfer desperate to want to live in his own paradise.The jokes are a bit stereotypical, but I think that is what makes it so humorous. The situations are more funny then the actual dialog. Trying to see Woody Harrelson act like a beach bum was pretty hilarious in its own right! All and all, if you like a movie that is an offbeat comedy that tries something new, then you will love this movie!
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Nothing really happens ... nothing.
posted on 01 Aug 2009I generally like movies about surfing - documentaries, fiction and even animated flicks. While this movie started out fine, by the end, I really had no idea why the movie was made. Nothing really happens. Nothing. Furthermore, this movie is actually only 75 minutes long (without the credits)! That's pretty short, but it fits since there isn't really any story.I did like the beginning though - there are cool surfing shots, lots of specialized surfer lingo, and a cool introduction to McConaughey's character as a legendary surfer. And that was not all, the beginning also gives us an exotic high-tech firm w/3D virtual technology, a surfer reality show and even a flashy/upscale topless beach party (it was very well done!).However, in terms of where all these elements go, the movie tanks. McConaughey's character walks around confused and dejected because there's no surf ... all while he's continually assaulted by the high tech firm that's pressuring him to sign a contract.As a movie, it's pretty terrible. However, I must say that I still enjoyed a lot of the above elements for their fun-spirited nature. For the general viewer though, there's definitely no point in seeing this movie.