Movie Review: The Last Wave

If you didn't see 1977's The Last Wave, you'd do well to seek it out. It's an amazing, haunting Australian film that truly casts itself as a work of art. The always excellent Richard Chamberlain (in his best performance) plays David Burton, a corporate lawyer who attempts to defend some mysterious Aboriginals accused of murder. As Burton learns more about his clients, he begins to experience strange premonitions about catastrophic weather. At the same time, bizarre phenomenon begins to hit the country. How are these fantastic occurrences and the Aboriginals related? And why has Burton seemed to be chosen as the vehicle through which to communicate an impending disaster? These questions don't get answered in a straight forward way; that would be too easy. Instead, writer and director Peter Weir presents this amazing story in a way that forces you to participate in what's happening. We desperately want to figure things out, and that draws us into this dizzying movie that is like no other. The Last Wave is about mood and doom and a fascinating culture. A very worthwhile experience.