Action
United States of America
Gleaming the Cube is a 1989 American action-drama film directed by Graeme Clifford and starring Christian Slater as Brian Kelly, a young skateboarder from Orange County who becomes embroiled in a murder investigation of his adoptive Vietnamese brother Vinh. Brian is known for his reckless behavior and carefree lifestyle, spending most of his time skateboarding and ditching school.
After Vinh's death, Brian becomes obsessed with finding out what really happened to his brother and begins his own investigation. He discovers that Vinh was involved in a scheme to smuggle illegal weapons into the United States and was killed because he knew too much. Brian finds himself in danger as he gets closer to the truth, but will stop at nothing to bring those responsible to justice.
Throughout the film, viewers are treated to impressive skateboarding scenes and stunts as Brian uses his skill on his board to escape danger and gather evidence. He also receives help from his fellow skater friends, including Yabbo, played by Tony Hawk.
The film deals with themes of brotherhood, trust, and the clash of cultures between Brian's American upbringing and Vinh's Vietnamese heritage. It also touches on social issues, such as the difficulties faced by Vietnamese refugees in the aftermath of the Vietnam War. Gleaming the Cube received mixed reviews from critics upon its release, but has since gained a cult following, particularly among skateboarders.
