The Last Wave

The Last Wave is a uniquely evocative 1977 film, directed by Peter Weir, that effortlessly sails between the influences of mystery, thriller, and the supernatural. The film stars Richard Chamberlain, Olivia Hamnett, and David Gulpilil, all of whom deliver compelling performances.

Richard Chamberlain plays David Burton, a Sydney corporate tax attorney who finds himself at the center of the film's expansive narrative. Burton is appointed to defend five Aboriginals accused of killing a fellow tribesman in a seemingly innocuous city pub brawl. David, typically entrenched in the dry, detailed world of tax law, quickly finds himself plunged into an inexplicable world of mystery, filled with cultural echoes he had never before realized. His professional life quietly starts taking on a disturbingly mystical tinge as he becomes entangled in the peculiar circumstances surrounding his new case.

Olivia Hamnett, portraying Annie Burton, David's wife, finds herself unraveling, trying to comprehend her husband's increasingly erratic behavior, uncertain about the possible implications on their home, their children, and herself. Their relationship, once stable and comfortable, appears to waver under the weight of David's journey into the unfamiliar.

David Gulpilil, as the cryptic Chris Lee, one of the accused, appears as a disturbing enigma in Burton's otherwise straightforward case. The tribal elder's silence and eerie calm add another layer to the unfolding mystery, as the urban landscape of Sydney metamorphoses into the haunting backdrop of an ancient unfolding enigma.

As the storyline unfolds, David's world is further destabilized by a series of unsettling natural abnormal occurrences. Sydney is engulfed in a series of unseasonal and inexplicable torrential rains, even as Burton's dreams suggest an impending apocalypse, symbolized repeatedly by visions of a massive tidal wave. The Last Wave thus cleverly uses elements of Australian Indigenous Dreamtime and tribal lore as narrative threads, weaving together an intricate tapestry of ancient beliefs, contemporary anxieties, and half-forgotten racial memories.

The on-screen chemistry between the lead actors truly lends the film a sense of brooding intensity. Richard Chamberlain, best known for his roles in period dramas, demonstrates his versatility as an actor, convincingly conveying his progression from polished skepticism to utter bewilderment. Australian actor David Gulpilil’s performance as Chris Lee is intense, his wide-eyed gaze and cryptic sentences evoking a sense of terrifying calm amidst the unfathomable storm brewing around him. Olivia Hamnett, as the wife grappling with her husband's unsettling transformation, averts melodrama while underscored by an authenticity that's difficult to ignore.

The film’s other memorable aspect is the way in which it has been shot. The striking cinematography captures the strange and often surreal quality of the film, reinforcing the fundamental mood of disquiet. The city of Sydney, usually bustling and glorious, is depicted in an overcast, dank and at times, oppressive light. The worsening weather corresponds neatly with the escalating tension, as if nature itself is mirroring the distressing developments.

Arguably, the film’s most potent aspect is its exploration of Aboriginal mythology and its contrast to contemporary urban lifestyle. It presents a chilling context where cultural misunderstanding is prevalent, and a distinct gloomy prediction of a world where ancient cultural wisdom is overlooked or rejected.

In summary, The Last Wave isn't a standard thriller. The film doesn't present viewers with typical jump scares or exploitative shock value; instead, it generates a more profound, spiritual form of horror. With a masterfully crafted narrative, deep exploration of Aboriginal mythology, and believable performances from its lead actors, The Last Wave is a unique and hauntingly beautiful film experience that manages to stick with viewers long after the credits roll.