Las Vegas Weekly

Sea of Darkness

CineVegas 2009

Sea of Darkness

Directed by Michael Oblowitz

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Film reviews

Don’t mistake this for a mere movie about surfing. There are certainly waves ’n’ boards at Sea of Darkness’ core, but the twisted ode to ocean idyllism also showcases commercial diving, drug smuggling, foiled kidnapping, the Quiksilver company, retired pirates, tree houses, Bill Murray, salvaged chinaware and trained ants. It’s a documentary for the post-MTV generation, full of tight head shots, quick cuts, grainy video and photos, bold titles and a blaring soundtrack. There’s a tremendous shot of swallowed and excreted cocaine balloons, bloody and brown from their violent exit. The characters are certainly colorful, though they’re difficult to keep straight, and the story—surfers break the law for easy funds to maintain the lifestyle—is a spellbinding one. Unfortunately it’s also a story that’s stretched mercilessly to fit a standard feature-film running time; the result is an unbearable dead zone midway through.

If the intentions are to mash up nifty vintage footage with an out-of-nowhere mind-blower of a true urban legend, the film succeeds. Then again, if the intentions are to create a public-service announcement that blares (in an authentically exotic accent), “Attention idiot slackers: Crime doesn’t pay!” it also succeeds. And that’s not necessarily a good thing.