Gleaming the Cube 1989

In the sun-drenched suburbs of Orange County, California, we meet Brian Kelly, a high school student whose life is characterized by a lack of direction and purpose. His passion for skateboarding frequently clashes with his parents’ growing frustration over his reckless behavior, which has led to numerous encounters with the law. Amidst this turbulent backdrop, Brian finds a source of solace and understanding in his adopted Vietnamese brother, Vinh. Vinh is a hardworking shipping clerk at the Vietnamese Anti-Communist Relief Fund (VACRF), an organization dedicated to sending vital medical supplies to Vietnam. However, Vinh uncovers a troubling discrepancy in their records that he feels compelled to address.

When Vinh alerts Colonel Trac, the head of VACRF, about these issues, he is immediately dismissed from his position. Refusing to be deterred by this setback, Vinh takes the initiative and infiltrates Westpac Medical Supplies, the warehouse responsible for VACRF’s shipments. His investigation, however, does not go unnoticed, as he is caught by Ed Lawndale, the owner, and subjected to a harsh interrogation alongside Bobby Nguyen, another employee of VACRF. As they navigate this grim situation, events take a dark turn when it becomes evident that Colonel Trac and Lawndale are engaged in a secretive plot to smuggle illegal weapons into Vietnam.

In a heart-wrenching twist, Vinh is accidentally killed by Nguyen, who is later determined to be responsible for what authorities label a suicide. This tragic event triggers a series of actions that propel Brian into a world filled with danger and treachery. At Vinh’s funeral, Brian stumbles upon a list of medical supplies written in Vietnamese, igniting his determination to uncover the truth. Driven by questions and a quest for justice, he seeks assistance to decode the list, only to attract the attention of Bobby Nguyen, who begins to stalk him.

As tensions rise, Brian makes a daring decision to sneak into Nguyen’s car and witnesses a clandestine meeting involving Trac, Lawndale, and Nguyen. Here, they negotiate a significant payment along with a ticket to Bangkok. Their discussions take a violent turn when Lawndale kills Nguyen during a struggle, prompting Brian to flee and seek help from the authorities, only to have his cries for justice ignored. Despite being told that Nguyen has supposedly made his way to Thailand, Brian becomes even more determined to expose the sinister operations surrounding VACRF.

With the support of Detective Al Lucero, who remains dubious about Brian’s claims, he also turns to Colonel Trac’s daughter, Tina. Seeking to connect with her on a deeper level, Brian musters the courage to ask her out on a date, which serves to strengthen their bond. Amidst their burgeoning relationship, Brian attends a social event hosted by VACRF, where he learns more about Lawndale’s questionable ties to Trac and Westpac Medical Supplies.

Unbeknownst to Brian, his investigative instincts lead him to a dark revelation. Under the cover of night, he sneaks into Lawndale’s warehouse and stumbles upon crates filled with weapons, confirming the nefarious dealings that have been occurring within VACRF. As the repercussions of Brian’s reckless pursuits unfold, a tense confrontation with Detective Lucero occurs after Brian stages an explosion at the warehouse, hoping to frame Trac for his wrongdoings. However, Lucero quickly sees through Brian’s deception and urges him to reassess his approach.

As the chaos escalates, Trac is faced with the need to protect his family, and he instructs them to seek safety at his brother’s house, leaving Tina vulnerable amidst rising dangers. Feeling the weight of her father’s hidden secrets, Tina finds comfort in Brian’s presence but is soon confronted with evidence of Trac’s guilt when she discovers his lighter in Brian’s room. This confrontation drives Trac to shut down their illicit operations, but Lawndale retaliates by sending a gang of Vietnamese motorcyclists after Brian.

Detective Lucero proves resourceful, skillfully communicating with an interpreter to gather crucial information. As stakes rise, Brian reaches out to his friend Yabbo for help, who responds by designing an advanced skateboard for him. The narrative races towards a climax as Brian, Lucero, and Lawndale converge at Trac’s house, leading to a heart-stopping showdown.

Tragically, Trac’s life ends at the hands of Lawndale, who escapes in a police vehicle. Yet Brian is unwilling to let Lawndale evade justice; he rallies his fellow skateboarders, executing a daring stunt to apprehend Lawndale and bring him to account for his actions. In the aftermath of this chaotic series of events, Brian extends consolation to Tina, implying that their bond will endure despite the challenges they’ve faced.

Together, Brian and Lucero pay their respects at Vinh’s grave before venturing off into an uncertain future, their shared experiences fostering a strong connection that promises to withstand the trials ahead.