Rob Machado The Drifter film review Stab

Rob Machado

Set Adrift

The Drifter is a film that looks superb, has a workable premise and contains some of the better Indonesian tube riding you’ll ever see. But does the narrative work? For a film about journey, travel and introspection, The Drifter occasionally rings hollow.

It is the danger when a surf filmmaker enters the complex world of storyboards and a bold narrative. Do not see The Drifter expecting a surf film. It has surfing in it (around 40 waves over 50 minutes) but the objective is to recreate, with emotive punch, the two-year sabbatical of Rob Machado. It was made with a more mainstream audience in mind, and given that, it succeeds.

I don't feel like we ever see a real or vulnerable Rob. It’s too glossy, scripted and calculated for a guy who spent an extended period in the wilderness away from his children.

It begins very well. The opening sequence is a pastiche of Rob’s competitive highlights and successfully sets the foundation for the narrative by pointing out the contrast between Rob and the intense scrutiny of a very successful WCT career.

The first wave of his Indonesian journey is unforgettable. A looming Padang wall stands up and pours section after section over Rob, to the FX of a wave crashing. The shot is pulled way back, giving a unique perspective on an oft seen wave.

It is this ability of Taylor to give meaning to every wave ridden in the film that is the hallmark of The Drifter and makes it worth seeing. Only the absolute cream clips are used and Rob is surfing as well as ever. Smooth hacks and hypnotic tube rides characterise his performance. A second film made of predominately surfing footage will be released. The cinematography is polished, layered and vibrantly coloured.

There are warm scenes when Rob has his bike fixed by a local mechanic, as well as an informative discussion of rural Indonesian architecture (animals are kept on the bottom, family in the middle and food in the roof of the one house). There is also a valuable comment made on the feverish western obsession with Indonesia in the opening scene-setting period in Bali and Desert point.

The big budget soundtrack includes Jose Gonzalez, the Black Keys, White Stripes and Midlake. – Jed Smith

Drifter Trailer from Poor Specimen on Vimeo.

DJ
Posts: 31

Machado Vid
Reply #31 on : Wed February 10, 2010, 13:13:17

Eh, wasn't horrible but wasn't great. I can't figure out why half of you hate Machado for getting paid to do a flick and why the other half loves him for his comments straight out of "Philosophy for Dummies".

The bottom line is that it could have used less blatent Hurley advertising (honestly, what can you expect from Nike though), less of Machado trying to sound like a philosopher (he actually just wound up sounding like a typical self-centered American), and less obviously scripted scenes.

The other side is that it needed more surfing for sure and I personally wouldn't have minded more info about the locals, although I know that isn't exactly what you should expect from a surf flick.

The pros are the soundtrack and the few really nice waves he got. The final con is the price...40 bucks? Hah! God bless internet downloads.

Take it easy ya'll.

P.S. I'm an American who has lived abroad, don't get your panties in a bunch...we have a very self-centered, ethnocentric, and (unfortunately) sometimes stupid, "baby lost his bottle", sounding characteristics and outlooks. Sorry to break it to you.

Anonymous
Posts: 31

Re: Rob Machado The Drifter film review Stab
Reply #30 on : Sat January 16, 2010, 18:39:12

A wonderful piece of fiction better than In God's Hands but not quite as good as North Shore, for me Rob needs to watch Rick Kane so he can improve his acting

Eric Martinson
Posts: 31

ENOUGH
Reply #29 on : Sat November 21, 2009, 05:52:28

ENOUGH of the sun-blown, rack focus, Machado-as-mystic nonsense. Congrats on getting paid for staged epiphanies. You know who REALLY loved this movie? Every struggling mechanic, every ACTUAL wiseman, every local rice-farmer and above all, Rob's children who'll no doubt work out their absent-daddy issues in future therapy sessions ("He said he'd be home for Christmas..."). Can someone remake Beyond Blazing Boards now?

Doc Wilson
Posts: 31

Re: Rob Machado The Drifter film review Stab
Reply #28 on : Thu November 19, 2009, 06:49:16

Wow, people are really misunderstanding the point of the movie. One, of course its not authentic its a movie. It would be like saying Schindler's List is crap because that was not actually Schindler in it or that if there was not a camera crew there Liam Neeson would have killed the Jews. Two, its aimed at surfers because we more then most people have asked the questions and have had the feelings they express in the movie. After finishing graduate school I celebrated by taking a 2 month trip along west mexico's shore with a few friends. During the course of the trip I had some of the best sessions of my life but what I liked the most was the places and people along the way. When I was suppose to go back I had the same feeling as that in the movie. I asked myself what if i just dropped everything and kept going? Of course, I went back and thats why theres no Wilson lost mexico movie coming out but, I umderstand the feeling thats trying to be expressed in the movie. Great movie Taylor

Jim
Posts: 31

Re: Rob Machado The Drifter film review Stab
Reply #27 on : Wed November 18, 2009, 06:02:23

Almost as authentic as a Malloy film. Although it lacked beard and a bivouac on an active volcano.

wes
Posts: 31

Re: Rob Machado The Drifter film review Stab
Reply #26 on : Fri November 13, 2009, 10:49:53

you all sound like whining bitches with such mundane lives that you have to sit on the internet and find things to write "insightful" comments about. endlessly entertaining.

Carolyn
Posts: 31

Chill out
Reply #25 on : Wed November 11, 2009, 08:54:44

Wow it is sad to see all the anger in some of these comments :(
Most comments were made before the movie even came out???? I personnaly can't wait to chill out after a ruff day at work and watch some surf and good cinematography. Aloha

Anonymous
Posts: 31

Re: Rob Machado The Drifter film review Stab
Reply #24 on : Sat November 07, 2009, 01:33:30

I can't really beleive that rob isn't sick of surfing yet..talk about repetetive. I mean kelly like competitiion but deep down he's sick of surfing by 37

jck
Posts: 31

Could be worse
Reply #23 on : Thu November 05, 2009, 05:44:23

I doubt it will be as bad as the piece of crap Shane Dorian was in. All these hippy artsy surf films are getting old. Bring back the Wave Warriors series!!

mob rachodo
Posts: 31

Re: Rob Machado The Drifter film review Stab
Reply #22 on : Wed November 04, 2009, 18:10:51

this movie is calling for a parody, early prediction is a stab comic about this. id love to see a satellite shot of robs tent when he is "drifting" i bet there'd be camera crews, coffins full of boards and crates of food that dont show up in the angles the film crew caught.

clarion kelly
Posts: 31

Re: Rob Machado The Drifter film review Stab
Reply #21 on : Wed November 04, 2009, 10:41:51

I heard that there isn't even much surfing in the movie. At least the soundtrack looks decent. Here is the complete soundtrack information:

http://www.stompandflow.com/2009/11/03/rob-machado-the-drifter-soundtrack/

Suntory_Bikkle
Posts: 31

/ wait a second... /
Reply #20 on : Wed November 04, 2009, 07:52:16

I actually think this thing might be a comedy. I love that part where he talks about being too tired to go on when paddling between islands all while his film crew is in tow. Fucking brilliant:) Rob you're an awesome surfer, but it's time to cut your hair!

Anonymous
Posts: 31

Re: Rob Machado The Drifter film review Stab
Reply #19 on : Wed November 04, 2009, 05:51:43

rob has really pretty handwriting

Anonymous
Posts: 31

Re: Rob Machado The Drifter film review Stab
Reply #18 on : Wed November 04, 2009, 04:13:05

Spolier , please step away from the keyboard.. your boogie board is calling your name.

Poopmouth
Posts: 31

Re: Rob Machado The Drifter film review Stab
Reply #17 on : Wed November 04, 2009, 04:09:10

I'm so fuck’en sick this pseudo intellectual hobo surf rider.

pat
Posts: 31

Re: Rob Machado The Drifter film review Stab
Reply #16 on : Wed November 04, 2009, 03:37:22

looks good. i'll watch it.

Jon Clay
Posts: 31

Re: Rob Machado The Drifter film review Stab
Reply #15 on : Wed November 04, 2009, 01:30:25

This movie will go down as Robs worst move ever. He will go from future legend to who the fuck is that guy trying to fool? Not all blame should go to Rob though as I am sure Hurley had a big play in it. And you wonder why no kids want to ride for Hurley?

Dustin Humphrey
Posts: 31

Didn't I shoot this film?
Reply #14 on : Wed November 04, 2009, 01:21:08

thinking back on it, I am sure I did. I vaguely remember being the creative lead, producer, director, narrator and creator of something like this. Where did that red footage go?

Anonymous
Posts: 31

Re: Rob Machado The Drifter film review Stab
Reply #13 on : Tue November 03, 2009, 23:34:42

universal & hurley being the sponsors is a dead giveaway that this is meant for a 'mainstream' audience. but why should we care? this will get looped on HBO... surf movies dont always have to be for surfers. my aunt nancy in toowoomba will lap this shit up

spoiler
Posts: 31

Re: Rob Machado The Drifter film review Stab
Reply #12 on : Tue November 03, 2009, 21:50:33

you are so gay..
flavour?
I'd like to shit in your mouth.

spoiler
Posts: 31

Against the grain...
Reply #11 on : Tue November 03, 2009, 20:30:13

I often wonder how many people commenting on STAB threads actually surf and in this case how many have seen the film? It's beginning to sound like a hack realsurf forum in here. Everyone trying to be a clever little 'writer', screaming out for attention from their peers. If you're that amazing and starved for attention, start your own blog. I'm sure there's room for a world of haters where you can shoot each other down.

As for the film, the fact that it's not a Bear Grills documentary doesn't mean it's missing authenticity, meek or trying to sell something. I'm pretty sure those that have an interest in world travel and have 'drifted' themselves will connect. Those that sit behind a computer looking at ways to make themselves feel better for following the herd will feel otherwise.

The Drifter is smooth, well shot and the David Fincher touch brings a fresh flavour to the crowded world of surf films. One last thing, when did 'too polished' become an issue?

milky joe
Posts: 31

Re: Rob Machado The Drifter film review Stab
Reply #10 on : Tue November 03, 2009, 16:49:19

"Drifting" was, and still is my favourite surf movie of all time...no preaching, no clichéd american bullshit (well a bearable amount of both anyway) jus one of the worlds most stylish surfers tearing apart amazing lefts to iconic 90's tracks.
Im trying not to let you haters get into my head but i fear an impending disappointment with "the Drifter".
Might be time to dust off the VHS player and enjoy a time where surfing was simple...No Dane, No Stab, No Dion, No Fashion sense, No worries.

voice of realiteat
Posts: 31

Re: Rob Machado The Drifter film review Stab
Reply #9 on : Tue November 03, 2009, 15:04:44

Fro-chado grifting through Indo with his crew of fat ass documentarians... wow
He definitely should have built a toilet.

voice of reality
Posts: 31

Re: Rob Machado The Drifter film review Stab
Reply #8 on : Tue November 03, 2009, 13:53:11

Ghost of Herring, brilliant.

Middle America will get it if you coat it in liquid cheese and deep fry it! Otherwise, they have the attention span of a meth head in a kaliedescope.

How profound is a surf trip? Only to one's self.

In Hurley we trust.

Al Merrick
Posts: 31

Re: Rob Machado The Drifter film review Stab
Reply #7 on : Tue November 03, 2009, 13:15:22

Ooohhh the Hurley house in Canggu... Does everyone know it's the new Rocky Point, or so we are told... Perfect driftbase for the core soulriders... Hurley and Mob, what an inspiration. Tossers. Sad, boring and unwelcome here for the most part

Anonymous
Posts: 31

Re: Rob Machado The Drifter film review Stab
Reply #6 on : Tue November 03, 2009, 13:01:58

Oh gee!! Rob Machado is "lost" in Indo, pretending to be a hippy, and doing the same surfing he did on the PSAA in 1991! Where's my $30, sign me up! Fucking morons.

Anonymous
Posts: 31

Re: Rob Machado The Drifter film review Stab
Reply #5 on : Tue November 03, 2009, 11:56:58

This stuff really shits me.

meek
Posts: 31

Re: Rob Machado The Drifter film review Stab
Reply #4 on : Tue November 03, 2009, 11:53:04

This will do well in the worlds most introverted society (and to think America is the free'est place on earth - irony, I know).

The concept is great, but what ruins it is the fact that it is selling a product, selling products in this way encourages people to be meek and compliant, and unable to find will power to go and do it off there own back, its as if to do this you have to be a 'rob'. There are some interesting real people doing real things unlike rob.

As I said I will be in Indo in little under 3 weeks....'Drifting'

Anonymous
Posts: 31

Re: Rob Machado The Drifter film review Stab
Reply #3 on : Tue November 03, 2009, 11:46:04

Hurley exploits Asia.

john
Posts: 31

Stab Magazine

Rob Machado The Drifter film review Stab

Set Adrift

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