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The online film magazine Combustible Celluloid offers new movie reviews, DVD reviews, film reviews, actor interviews, actress interviews, director interviews, film books and all things cinema related for the thoughtful and passionate. Online for ten years! Over 3000 reviews!

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Bra Boys (2008)

Rating: 2 Stars (out of 4)

Surf Bored

By Jeffrey M. Anderson

Buy Bra Boys on DVD

They're not named because they wear bras. Professional surfer Sunny Abberton co-directed this documentary about his brothers and friends, the "Bra Boys" of the beach at Maroubra (that's "Marou-BRA") in Sydney, Australia. The Abbertons and many others came from broken homes and turned to surfing as a means to cope. Fans of surf documentaries will probably dig this film, but it's maddeningly shallow, presenting the group as not a dangerous gang, but rather a fun-loving bunch of screw-ups who are misunderstood by police. The cause of a major brawl and the details of a murder trial (for which Jia Abberton was arrested) remain virtually unexplored. As things go on, the film gets weepier as it documents the Abberton family tragedies, and the endless parade of talking heads becomes somber and emotional while drippy music plays. Lots of surf footage and "jackass"-type stunts help pass the time. Russell Crowe narrates.

Starring: Russell Crowe (narrator), Sunny Abberton, Jai Abberton, Koby Abberton, Dakota Abberton
Written by: Sunny Abberton, Stuart Beattie
Directed by: Sunny Abberton, Macario De Souza
MPAA Rating: R for language, some violent content and reckless behavior
Running Time: 90 minutes
Date: May 16, 2008