Every once in awhile, a film comes along that is so pathetic and unneeded, that you sit there long after the credits have finished rolling, wondering how you can get your time back. Sadly, Surfer, Dude is that movie. Sunken by a dumb plot, random on-screen antics and unflattering dialogue, the film seemed to be nothing more than an excuse for Matthew McConaughey to take off his shirt. And while I am sure that some people will like it, it is by far the worst film that I have seen thus far in 2008.
The story centers around Steve Addington and his obsession with surfing. Having been on the professional tour for a while, Addington has made a name for himself amongst the critics and the ladies. But now, after moving back to Malibu, Addington learns that all the other surfers are participating in a new Virtual-Reality Video Game. However, like a good boy, Addington stands his ground, refusing to participate in the program and shunning those that are. But in a twist of fate, the waves all along the coast go flat, giving the guys behind the game an excuse and reason for their creation. Will Addington be able to hold out until the waves return? Or will he break and give into the reality-altering machine? Either way, one thing is for sure, you will probably sleep through most of it.
Now I know that you all probably think that I am exaggerating when I speak of the film's poor acting, unemotional and unneeded plot and its unappealing look at the fascination of reality television. But sadly, I am not. Combine all those forces with a lame and uneventful performance from Austin native Matthew McConaughey, and the film that had a small crack of hope is shut off in a matter of minutes.
Unfortunately, Alexie Gilmore, Jeffrey Nordling, Woody Harrelson and Scott Glenn lend no support as each stumbles through the motions, adding on to the already dreadful film. Their interactions with one another come across as staged, dramatized and unreal, repelling audiences from the get go and giving the film no chance of survival.
However, nothing can fix the miserable and tragic premise that this film is built upon. Containing no substance, no reason and no justification, Surfer, Dude seems to have been made because Matthew McConaughey was attached, questioning the validity of his acting and the amount of stress that his appearance should have on any film, regardless of whether he takes his shirt off or not.
