The Last Wave

Movie Information

In Brief: SHOW HAS BEEN CANCELLED. World Cinema is bringing back Peter Weir's occult thriller The Last Wave (1977). This is the film that brought Weir to even greater international attention than his Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975) had. Seen today, it's an imperfect affair that benefits from its intensely creepy atmosphere, but it suffers from a too-deliberate pace and a slightly arty tone. It's still rewarding and interesting, however.
Score:

Genre: Occult Thriller
Director: Peter Weir
Starring: Richard Chamberlain, Olivia Hamnett, David Gulpilil, Frederick Parslow
Rated: PG

Show has been cancelledThe 2008 review: Until recently, I hadn’t seen Peter Weir’s The Last Wave (1977) for close to 30 years, and I was surprised to find that time has been unusually kind to it. In some ways, this story of the impending destruction of humankind by meteorological forces has simply gained relevance in our age of global warming, but it’s more than that. I was never completely sold on the film’s greatness or on its much-praised “striking visuals,” and I’m not sure that’s changed (I’d call its visuals more effective and intelligent than striking). But its creepiness is undeniable, and it seems far less dated than many late 1970s films.

The story of an Australian barrister (Richard Chamberlain) called on to defend a group of Aborigines on a charge of murder — only to find himself enacting a predestined role in an ancient prophecy — is not as impenetrable as has sometimes been suggested. However, it’s all so firmly grounded in the realm of “mood piece” that many will find it slow going — and the enigmatic ending will undoubtedly fail to satisfy some. (Weir’s own statement of what the final shots mean still gets a big “If you say so” from me.) Still, it’s a film worth examining — and one of maybe four movies to do right by the underrated Richard Chamberlain.

Classic World Cinema by Courtyard Gallery will present The Last Wave Friday, Feb. 14, at 8 p.m. at Phil Mechanic Studios, 109 Roberts St., River Arts District (upstairs in the Railroad Library). Info: 273-3332, www.ashevillecourtyard.com

SHARE
About Ken Hanke
Head film critic for Mountain Xpress from December 2000 until his death in June 2016. Author of books "Ken Russell's Films," "Charlie Chan at the Movies," "A Critical Guide to Horror Film Series," "Tim Burton: An Unauthorized Biography of the Filmmaker."

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

Leave a Reply

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.