Watch Big Wednesday

Big Wednesday is a 1978 American coming-of-age film directed by John Milius and starring Jan-Michael Vincent, William Katt, and Gary Busey. The movie narrates the story of three surfing buddies from California who go through different phases of life over a 12 year period, starting in 1962. The protagonist of the movie is Matt Johnson, played by Jan-Michael Vincent, who is an excellent surfer and lives with his two friends, Jack Barlow (William Katt) and Leroy "The Masochist" Smith (Gary Busey). They all share a passion for surfing, and the movie follows their evolving relationships as they leave high school, encounter the Vietnam War, and deal with the challenges of adulthood.

At the beginning of the movie, the three friends are in high school and surf every day. They share a passion for the waves, and surfing is their way of life. However, as the years pass by, their lives start to go in different directions. Jack gets drafted into the army and sent to Vietnam, while Leroy becomes a drug addict and struggles to find his way. Matt, on the other hand, continues to surf and becomes a local legend at the beach. He also falls in love with Sally (played by Patti D'Arbanville), a girl he meets at a party.

Throughout the movie, the three friends reunite on several occasions, and their relationships change as they grow older. The Vietnam War takes a significant toll on Jack and his relationship with Matt, who opposes the war. Meanwhile, Leroy's drug addiction makes him alienated from his friends, and he becomes increasingly unpredictable.

One of the most poignant scenes in the movie is when the three friends reunite in 1974, twelve years after they graduated from high school. They are now adults, and their lives have gone in different directions. Matt has become a successful businessman, while Jack is struggling to find his way after the war. Leroy, who was once the life of the party, is now a shadow of his former self. The three friends go surfing, and for a brief moment, they are transported back to their youth. It's a bittersweet moment that highlights the passing of time and the changes that come with it.

Aside from the themes of friendship and growing up, Big Wednesday is also a movie about surfing. The film's stunning cinematography captures the majesty of the waves, and the soundtrack features music from some of the biggest names in surf music, including The Beach Boys, The Ventures, and Jimi Hendrix. The surfing scenes are beautifully shot, and they capture the thrill of riding the waves.

In summary, Big Wednesday is a coming-of-age movie that follows the lives of three friends over a 12 year period. It's a story about friendship, growing up, and the passing of time. The movie features great surfing scenes, memorable characters, and a fantastic soundtrack. It's a must-see for anyone who loves surfing or coming-of-age movies in general.

Big Wednesday is a 1978 drama with a runtime of 2 hours. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1 and a MetaScore of 54.