Gleaming the Cube
Gleaming the Cube is a 1989 American teen crime drama film directed by Graeme Clifford and starring Christian Slater as Brian Kelly, a Southern California high school student and avid skateboarder who investigates the suspicious death of his adopted Vietnamese brother.[1] The story follows Brian as he uncovers a conspiracy involving arms smuggling tied to his brother's journalism activities, blending elements of thriller and coming-of-age narrative with prominent skateboarding sequences.[1][2] Produced on an estimated budget of $10 million, the film featured professional skateboarders such as Rodney Mullen, Tony Hawk, and Mike McGill in stunt roles and as technical advisors, contributing to its authentic depiction of 1980s skate culture despite its modest box office performance of $2.7 million domestically.[3][4] While receiving mixed critical reception, with a 29% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on limited reviews, Gleaming the Cube has developed a niche following among skateboarding enthusiasts for its period-specific portrayal of the sport and Orange County lifestyle.[2][1]Production
Development
The screenplay for Gleaming the Cube was written by Michael Tolkin, who conceived the core story concept in the mid-1980s while driving through Anaheim on the Santa Ana Freeway.[5] Tolkin envisioned a plot centered on the murder of a teenage Vietnamese boy in a motel room overlooking Disneyland's Matterhorn, drawing from the era's suburban tensions and cultural shifts in Orange County.[5] To develop the script, Tolkin conducted research into Orange County's Vietnamese immigrant community in Little Saigon, its skateboarding subculture, and local history, incorporating specific details such as street names like Katella Avenue and Harbor Boulevard to ground the narrative in authentic regional elements.[5] The film's title originated from the nonsensical skateboarding phrase "gleaming the cube," which skateboarder Neil Blender improvised during a December 1983 interview in Thrasher magazine in response to a question about unconventional tricks, later adopted as evocative slang despite lacking inherent meaning.[6] Lawrence Turman and David Foster served as producers, securing development through Gladden Entertainment, with Tolkin's script marking his first solo screenwriting credit amid his transition from New York-based fiction to Hollywood projects.[7] Pre-production emphasized authenticity in skateboarding, leading to the involvement of Stacy Peralta as technical advisor to consult on sequences and recruit professional skaters from the Bones Brigade team.[5]Filming and Locations
Principal photography for Gleaming the Cube occurred from late August to early December 1987.[8] A reported delay in principal photography was noted on 16 September 1987, attributed by director Graeme Clifford to production scheduling issues.[8] The film was primarily shot on location in Southern California, with extensive use of Orange County sites to capture the suburban and urban environments central to the story.[5] School scenes were filmed at Woodbridge High School in Irvine, California, reflecting the film's high school setting.[5] The opening airport sequence took place at John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, California.[9] The motel where a key plot event occurs was depicted at Stovall's Cosmic Age Lodge on Katella Avenue in Anaheim, California.[10] Skateboarding sequences utilized authentic street and pool environments, including an empty swimming pool at a private residence in the Hollywood Hills for stunt work involving professional skateboarders.[11] Additional locations included streets in San Pedro, such as the hill at 17th Street and Patton Avenue for downhill skating scenes, and commercial sites like a Pizza Hut at 2941 West Imperial Highway in Inglewood.[12][13] These choices emphasized realistic, on-location action to showcase skateboarding maneuvers without heavy reliance on constructed sets.Narrative and Characters
Plot Summary
Brian Kelly, a rebellious high school skateboarder in Orange County, California, spends his days skating with friends like Yabbo and engaging in minor mischief, such as trespassing in empty pools, which leads to a brief arrest.[8] His adopted Vietnamese brother, Vinh Kelly, works at a video store owned by the seemingly benevolent Colonel Trac, who operates the Vietnamese Anti-Communist Relief Fund (VACRF), ostensibly shipping medical supplies to Vietnam.[8] [14] Vinh discovers irregularities in the charity's accounts, including discrepancies in the quantities of medical supplies shipped, prompting him to suspect embezzlement or fraud.[8] He sneaks into a VACRF warehouse to investigate further but is caught by Ed Lawndale, a associate of Trac. Vinh is then abducted and taken to a motel, where Bobby Nguyen, a henchman, tortures him by accusing him of communist sympathies and using a wet towel technique; Trac intervenes, attempting to buy Vinh's silence, but the group ultimately murders him and stages the death as a suicide.[8] [14] Skeptical of the official suicide ruling, Brian launches his own investigation, enlisting his skateboarding crew—including real-life professionals like Tony Hawk—and even dating Trac's daughter to infiltrate the inner circle.[14] [15] He uncovers evidence that Trac and associates, including Harvey McGill, are using the charity as a front for illicit activities, and faces attempts on his life, such as a hit by a Vietnamese motorcycle gang hired by Lawndale.[14] [15] Brian's pursuit culminates in high-stakes chases leveraging his skateboarding prowess against vehicles, including a dramatic confrontation involving a Pizza Hut delivery truck, leading him and his friends to expose the conspiracy, apprehend the killers, and avenge Vinh's murder.[14] [15]Cast and Performances
The principal cast of Gleaming the Cube (1989) features Christian Slater in the lead role of Brian Kelly, a teenage skateboarder who investigates the suspicious death of his adopted brother.[1] Supporting roles include Steven Bauer as detective Al Lucero, Art Chudabala as Vinh Kelly (Brian's brother), Min Luong as Tina Trac, Le Tuan as Colonel Trac, Richard Herd as Ed Lawndale, Ed Lauter as Brian's father Mr. Kelly, and Micole Mercurio as Mrs. Kelly.[1] Professional skateboarder Tony Hawk appears in a cameo as Buddy, one of Brian's skateboarding friends.[16]| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Christian Slater | Brian Kelly |
| Steven Bauer | Al Lucero |
| Art Chudabala | Vinh Kelly |
| Min Luong | Tina Trac |
| Le Tuan | Colonel Trac |
| Richard Herd | Ed Lawndale |
| Ed Lauter | Mr. Kelly |
| Micole Mercurio | Mrs. Kelly |
| Tony Hawk | Buddy |
Technical and Stylistic Elements
Skateboarding Sequences
The skateboarding sequences in Gleaming the Cube were directed by second-unit filmmaker Stacy Peralta, a pioneering skateboarder and founder of the Bones Brigade team, who coordinated all stunt work to ensure technical accuracy and visual dynamism.[21][11] These scenes, filmed in locations such as an empty swimming pool in the Hollywood Hills, integrated authentic 1980s tricks into the narrative, showcasing Brian Kelly's (Christian Slater) skill while advancing the plot through aggressive street and bowl skating.[11][15] Professional skateboarders performed the majority of stunts, with Mike McGill doubling for Slater in a wig during pool and street sessions, and Rodney Mullen handling freestyle elements.[11][21] Tony Hawk, appearing as Buddy, executed a layback air and an ollie off the hip, while Eric Dressen delivered a frontside grind over a deathbox and a backside nosegrab grind.[11] Additional contributors included Tommy Guerrero as Sam, Mike Vallely with layback airs, Lance Mountain, and Natas Kaupas, emphasizing vert and transition skating styles prevalent in the era.[11][15] Key sequences highlight bowl drops, aggressive parking garage shredding by Brian to vent frustration, and a climactic integration where the skate crew employs boards in a chase and confrontation, blending action with skate proficiency.[15][21] This reliance on real pros, rather than fabricated stunts, provided a grounded portrayal of skate culture, distinguishing the film from contemporaneous skate media.[15]Music and Soundtrack
The original score for Gleaming the Cube was composed by Jay Ferguson, a musician known for his work on 1980s films including contributions to rock-oriented soundtracks.[22][23] Ferguson's score emphasizes energetic, synth-driven cues to underscore the film's skateboarding action and thriller elements, blending rock influences with tension-building orchestration.[21] The film features a selection of licensed rock and punk tracks that align with its 1980s Southern California skateboarding subculture, though no official soundtrack album was commercially released.[24] Key songs include:- "Gleaming the Cube," written by Robbin Thompson, Carlos Chafin, and Eric Heiberg, performed by James House.[25]
- "Right Now," music by Jay Ferguson with lyrics by Rob Fitzgerald, performed by Johnny Rad.[25]
- "Saigon Angel," music and lyrics by La Van Lieh, performed by The AVT.[25]
- "Brother to Brother," performed by Billy Burnette.[26]
- "Stukas over Disneyland" by The Dickies, played during a scene in a bomb shelter.[27]