# Point Break

> 1991 film by Kathryn Bigelow

**Wikidata**: [Q1146552](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1146552)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Point_Break)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/point-break

## Summary

Point Break is a film that blends several different genre elements. It functions as a crime film, heist film, thriller film, action film, surf film, and sport film [1][2][3][4][5][6].

## Summary
Point Break is a 1991 action thriller film directed by Kathryn Bigelow, starring Patrick Swayze and Keanu Reeves. The film follows an FBI agent who infiltrates a group of bank-robbing surfers, exploring themes of adrenaline, loyalty, and identity.

## Key Facts
- Released in 1991, directed by Kathryn Bigelow
- Stars Patrick Swayze as Bodhi and Keanu Reeves as Johnny Utah
- Genre: action thriller, crime film, heist film, sport film, buddy cop film
- Production companies: Largo Entertainment, Rastar
- Country of origin: United States
- Runtime: 122 minutes
- Budget: $24 million
- Box office gross: $83 million
- IMDb ID: tt0102685
- Wikipedia sitelink count: 39 language editions
- Wikidata description: "1991 film by Kathryn Bigelow"

## FAQs
**What is the plot of Point Break?**
Point Break follows FBI agent Johnny Utah as he goes undercover to infiltrate a group of bank-robbing surfers led by Bodhi. The film explores themes of adrenaline addiction, loyalty, and the blurred lines between law enforcement and criminal behavior.

**Who directed Point Break and who stars in it?**
Kathryn Bigelow directed Point Break, marking one of her early major commercial successes. The film stars Patrick Swayze as Bodhi, the charismatic surfer and bank robber, and Keanu Reeves as Johnny Utah, the rookie FBI agent.

**What genres does Point Break belong to?**
Point Break spans multiple genres including action thriller, crime film, heist film, sport film, and buddy cop film. Its unique blend of extreme sports action with crime drama elements created a distinctive subgenre.

**What is the cultural impact of Point Break?**
Point Break became a cult classic known for its iconic quotes, memorable action sequences, and the chemistry between Swayze and Reeves. It influenced later action films and spawned a 2015 remake, cementing its place in action cinema history.

## Why It Matters
Point Break matters as a landmark action film that successfully blended extreme sports with crime thriller elements, creating a template for future genre hybrids. Kathryn Bigelow's direction brought a distinctive visual style and psychological depth to what could have been a straightforward action movie, exploring themes of masculinity, risk-taking, and the search for transcendence through dangerous activities. The film's success helped establish both Swayze and Reeves as major action stars and demonstrated that female directors could helm commercially successful action blockbusters. Its influence extends beyond cinema into popular culture, with references appearing in music, television, and even extreme sports communities. The film's exploration of the adrenaline junkie mentality and the thin line between law enforcement and criminality continues to resonate with audiences decades later.

## Notable For
- Kathryn Bigelow's first major commercial success as a director
- Iconic performances by Patrick Swayze and Keanu Reeves
- Groundbreaking blend of surfing culture with bank heist action
- Memorable quotes and scenes that became cultural touchstones
- Influence on the extreme sports action subgenre
- Successful demonstration of female director capability in action films
- Creation of the "adrenaline junkie" archetype in cinema
- Box office success with $83 million gross on $24 million budget
- Cult status and enduring popularity leading to a 2015 remake
- Exploration of themes around masculinity and risk-taking behavior

## Body
### Production and Release
Point Break was produced by Largo Entertainment and Rastar, with a production budget of $24 million. The film was released in 1991 and achieved commercial success, grossing $83 million worldwide. It was distributed by 20th Century Fox and became one of the defining action films of the early 1990s.

### Creative Team
The film was directed by Kathryn Bigelow, who had previously directed Near Dark (1987) and would go on to direct Strange Days (1995) and The Hurt Locker (2008). The screenplay was written by W. Peter Iliff, with Rick King receiving story credit. The film's distinctive visual style and action sequences were captured by cinematographer Donald Peterman.

### Cast and Characters
Patrick Swayze stars as Bodhi, the charismatic leader of the surfer bank robbers, bringing his signature blend of charm and intensity to the role. Keanu Reeves plays Johnny Utah, the rookie FBI agent who goes undercover, marking one of his early breakthrough action roles. The supporting cast includes Gary Busey as Utah's partner Angelo Pappas, Lori Petty as Tyler Endicott, and John C. McGinley as Utah's FBI superior.

### Genre Classification
Point Break spans multiple genre classifications, functioning as an action thriller, crime film, heist film, sport film, and buddy cop film. This genre-blending approach was innovative for its time, combining the adrenaline of extreme sports with the tension of crime drama and the partnership dynamics of buddy cop films.

### Cultural and Cinematic Impact
The film became a cult classic, known for its quotable dialogue ("100% pure adrenaline"), iconic action sequences, and the chemistry between Swayze and Reeves. It influenced subsequent action films and helped establish the template for extreme sports action movies. The film's exploration of the adrenaline junkie mentality and the search for transcendence through dangerous activities resonated with audiences and influenced popular culture.

### Technical and Artistic Elements
Bigelow's direction brought a distinctive visual style to the action sequences, particularly the surfing scenes and skydiving sequences. The film's cinematography by Donald Peterman captured both the beauty of the surfing locations and the intensity of the action sequences. The soundtrack, featuring artists like Patrick O'Hearn and Harold Faltermeyer, contributed to the film's distinctive atmosphere.

### Legacy and Influence
Point Break's influence extends beyond its initial release, inspiring a 2015 remake and numerous references in popular culture. The film's exploration of themes around masculinity, risk-taking, and the search for meaning through dangerous activities continues to resonate with audiences. It remains a significant work in Kathryn Bigelow's filmography and a landmark in action cinema history.

### Related Works and Connections
As a film, Point Break is classified under the broader category of motion pictures and is studied within film theory and film studies. It connects to the broader ecosystem of 1990s action cinema and the evolution of extreme sports representation in film. The film's success contributed to the careers of both Bigelow and its lead actors, influencing their subsequent work in the industry.

### Distribution and Reception
The film was distributed by 20th Century Fox and received mixed reviews upon initial release, though it has since been reappraised as a cult classic. Its commercial success demonstrated the viability of genre-blending approaches in mainstream cinema and helped establish Bigelow as a director capable of handling large-scale action productions.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102685/)
2. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=6991.html)
3. [Source](http://bbfc.co.uk/releases/point-break-film)
4. [Source](http://stopklatka.pl/film/na-fali-1991)
5. [Source](http://www.metacritic.com/movie/point-break-1991)
6. [Source](http://www.empireonline.com/features/become-a-genre-expert-heist/p6)
7. [Source](http://www.hollywood.com/movies/162343/point-break)
8. [Source](http://www.ew.com/article/1991/07/26/point-break)
9. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102685/fullcredits)
10. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
11. [Source](http://www.cinematographers.nl/PaginasDoPh/peterman.htm)
12. The Movie Database
13. Point Break. Rotten Tomatoes
14. The American Film Institute Catalog of Motion Pictures
15. Lexicon of international films
16. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102685/releaseinfo)
17. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
18. IMDb
19. Box Office Mojo
20. Point Break
21. Kinopoisk
22. [Source](http://www.kijkwijzer.nl/index.php?id=26&i=419983)
23. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/point-break-2/)
24. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/point-break/)
25. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/point-break-sbs-versie/)
26. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/point-break-rtl-versie/)
27. terjesztesre_kerulo_filmalkotasok_nyilvantartasa.xlsx
28. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
29. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/76728)
30. Bechdel Test Movie List
31. mymovies.it
32. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/51DE-B02E-4B38-5391-E3C7-R)
33. Danish Film Database
34. [Source](https://www.acmi.net.au/works/90444)
35. TheTVDB
36. Trakt.tv
37. FilmVandaag.nl