The Last Wave is a sort of spiritual sequel to Peter Weir's previous movie, Picnic at Hanging Rock, which was one of the most visceral experiences I have ever had, in my life, cinematic or otherwise. The Last Wave does not repeat the emotional enormity of that masterpiece, but they do have many similar characteristics- mystical subject matter, a slow pace, beautiful photography, and what some consider X-Files style music as a score.
Where the two differ (aside from their level of emotional impact) is in their focus on character. Picnic did not so much feature real people as much as archetypes- the virginal young woman, the old hag, the adventurous heroes. This added to the impact of the work by drawing us even further into a Jungian world of mysticism and primal humanity. The Last Wave attempts to draw us into the story of a more three dimensional character, which counteracts with the more basic its more basic human concerns.
That character is an Australian barrister named David Burton (Richard Chamberlain), who practices tax law in Sydney. Burton receives a call from a criminal defender (Malcolm Robertson) one day who wants his assistance with a case. Four Aborigines (the indigenous population of Australia, like Native Americans in the US) have been arrested for manslaughter in what appears to be a bar brawl in which a fifth Aborigine died. Although the lawyer doesn't witness the murder, the audience does, and the victim simply appeared to fall to the grown after a minor fight and expire. Although he at first feigns interest, Burton decides to pursue a novel legal idea- argue that the men were part of a tribe, and that what occurred was a tribal execution for internal crimes. Without giving away too much, Burton is actually correct, but this not good, as the tribe as far more on its mind that a small manslaughter trial. Oh, and Sydney appears to be experiencing some plagues, right out of Exodus….
Although many scenes are effective at creating an eerie tone, the movie's momentum is too often slowed with pat scenes between Burton and his wife (Olivia Hammnett). It's the stuff that we've seen before in far too many thrillers, from JFK to Zodiac. As the hero becomes more and more obsessed, he pushes his family away and threatens his marriage. Chamberlain, best known as a B-list actor in the US, is rather impressive in his role, but the standout performance is from Aborigine actor David Gulipili as Chris, the most vocal of the suspects. Gulipili is has a certain charisma to him that virtually jumps of the screen, and his presence stays with you long after his character is off the screen.
But although a solid effort, it's hard to not be disappointed with The Last Wave because of what preceded it. Weir said all he had too about this stuff in Picnic at Hanging Rock it's companion piece does not build on those ideas (like Winter Light did with Through a Glass Darkly) but merely repeats them in an inferior manner. Although I enjoyed this film, I would rather see Picnic ten more times than see this again once, not that option would be a bad experience, though.
The Last Wave (1977)