Okay, This is not going to write itself. Let’s go back into my mental archive of a flick that I know I have loved since the first viewing. As a young kid, I was always fascinated with skateboarding, and while I would not even think about rolling down the street today on one, when I was younger I enjoyed the hell out of it. Well, this movie was one when, if on, I would stop everything and watch. Also, I’m pretty sure my cousin Ronnie was a big fan of this one, as well. Let’s knock this one out, because the quicker you read this the sooner you can figure out how you are going to watch it.
Let’s start by explaining this flick. Brian Kelly (Christian Slater) is your classic rebellious ‘80s skate punk, spending his days riding his skateboard and not really caring about anything else. His adopted Vietnamese brother, Vinh, is the exact opposite— good student, good kid, different in every way. But when Vinh discovers something shady at his job and ends up dead under suspicious circumstances, Brian refuses to accept the official explanation. Using his skateboarding skills, a little help from his crew, and some typical adolescent irresponsibility, he begins to discover a dangerous plot involving arms smuggling, greed, and plenty of high-speed skateboard chases. Absolute love.
Now, let’s talk about Christian Slater. This is prime ‘80s Slater, just a year before Heathers would cement him as the king of teen angst. He is exactly what my brain wanted to think I was as a young kid, skateboarding, and not giving a shit. Let’s name a few Christian Slater gems for those not in the know. His first flick is The Legend of Billy Jean (love that flick), and not much after that. The Name of the Rose (also solid) which he stars with Sean Connery. Of course Heathers, but also The Wizard, Pump up the Volume, Young Guns 2, hell even Kuffs is fun. But True Romance is probably my second favorite after this. Also love his role in Interview with a Vampire, which probably is also due for a rewatch. Also Broken Arrow, damn; he is in a ton of movies I love. Love this guy. But let’s not forget the rest of the cast. Steven Bauer, best known as Manny from Scarface, is super solid as the detective that Brian (Slater) is trying to convince his brother did not commit suicide (SPOILER). More of the cast, Richard Herd, who I always loved in V as the Visitors’ Supreme Commander. How about Ed Lauter as his dad. I won’t name all the flicks he is in but you know the face and then know the 60+ movies and tv shows you have seen him in. Sadly Ed and Richard have passed, but both were solid actors. I wasn’t going to name the actor that played his brother, but turns out he is a great actor as well. Art Chudabala: has a decent filmography including The Stoned Age, which I watched a ton of in high school. And then there’s Tony Hawk—yes, that Tony Hawk—playing one of Brian’s skater friends in what might be the greatest cameo by a real-life sports icon in an ‘80s film. He is not the only skater to appear in the flick, but the most recognizable skateboarder of all time brings instant legitimacy to this flick. In fact, makes my quest for having a signed vhs copy of this flick by him one still incomplete.
The crew on this flick. Behind the camera, we have director Graeme Clifford, who previously helmed Frances (1982) and worked as an editor on Don’t Look Now (1973). While Gleaming the Cube is his only real dive into action-thrillers, he is masterful in his trial run. The film’s cinematographer is Reed Smoot and for most is not a recognizable name, but this guy has worked on a ton of stuff. When he entered into his role as a cinematographer he won an Oscar for The Great American Cowboy in 1973. A documentary I walked past on VHS in Palmer Video on Inman Avenue in New Jersey thirty-five times a day. I still see the giant white clamshell in my head. Anyway. Let’s just say he works from 1973 straight thru to 2020. Not sure if he has passed but he did tons of IMAX stuff.
Now, let’s get to my favorite part, the quotes:
- “What’s the point? What’s the point of anything?”
- “Skate or die, man.”
- “I guess we all do unexpected things sometimes, don’t we?”
There’s something special about Gleaming the Cube. It’s not just a skateboarding movie, and it’s not just a thriller—it’s this weird, wonderful mix of both that somehow works. It’s a perfect slice of what a kid growing up in the 80s thought his life was like. A bit dramatic but any teenager could relate to this flick. Damn, I love this flick and happy to have seen it when i did. Another fact: the title refers to an abstract phrase that basically means achieving the ultimate level of something, which I think is what Slater said in an interview. Don’t think it has anything to do with skateboarding at all. Here is a better lesser known fact: the first time someone said “Gleaming the Cube” was in an interview in 1983 in Thrasher Magazine. Been looking for that issue ever since I was told that.
Okay, how can you watch it. Well I have it digital and also on VHS, so you are invited over for a viewing if you would like. For the geographically challenged to my TV it looks like Amazon has it for rent, and well worth the admission. Just a fun fun film that I love. One last fact for you: Mike McGill, the insanely awesome skateboarder known for the McTwist, doubles for Slater skateboarding in the movie with a wig. Although, over time, I like to think it was Slater the whole time just killing it.
