Post by StevePulaski on Apr 9, 2011 15:02:59 GMT -5
From left: Tom Hamilton (Quaid), Bethany Hamilton (Robb), and Cheri Hamilton (Hunt) in Soul Surfer.
Rating: ★★★
Soul Surfer is about the tragic story of Bethany Hamilton being attacked by a shark at the tender age of thirteen while surfing with some friends. Maybe it isn't so tragic. Maybe it's more of a test. A test to see how far she would go and if she would adapt to having only her right arm. Maybe it was an act of courage on her part for her to continue doing what she loves after the attack. I'll let the movie do the talking.
I probably wouldn't have went to go see this film if it wasn't for reading a short story this past year called Beyond Brave. It was a shorter version of the official book called Soul Surfer. The story was empowering. In the early minutes of the film you find it's hard to sit still and you become squeamish because you know what is about to happen. Every scene where Bethany is in the water you begin to feel a sort of uneasy feel. Then when it occurs you become fully immersed in the story.
AnnaSophia Robb, a lovely and attractive young woman, plays Bethany Hamilton an aspiring pro surfer age thirteen. She lives with her mom, dad, and two brothers and is home-schooled in Hawaii. One day, while surfing with her friends, Bethany was attacked by a shark that bit off her left arm and took a huge chunk out of her surfboard. Bethany was rescued by her friends and taken to a local hospital.
It is told she lost 60% of her blood and will have to learn to suffice with only having one arm. Being a determined surfer, she wants to continue on with her dream, but she learns her dreams may be put on hold with her arm holding her back.
The film is well shot, well located, and well acted. The problem I found was the fact that we see Bethany smile the whole film. Not literally, but she never seems to get agitated, frustrated, or aggravated anytime during the film. I find it hard to believe that a thirteen year old girl with one arm doesn't get easily provoked or frustrated with life's obstacles. Anybody would. No point in the film shows her blowing off steam or acting in rage. Unrealistic.
The film also makes a strong note that Bethany and her family are Christians. While I have no problem with religion or anybody who believes in it I find it a bit silly the film focuses on that aspect as much as it does. I believe in God. I'm no Atheist. I have nothing against people who are Atheist. People can believe whatever they want and I have no problem. But I don't believe the religious aspect of Bethany's story needed to be focused on. Yes Carrie Underwood is nice and heartwarming as one of the Church helpers, but the whole concept of "God's way" and everything gets to be much.
I think Roger Ebert said it best; "It's eerie with it's optimism." It almost has too much hope. Major deterioration from it's overall message by focusing on unnecessary elements.
Aside from those minor inconveniences, the film is utterly breathtaking in it's visuals and surfing footage. The trailer to the film I have an interesting thing to say about. I saw the trailer in the theater with my mom about two months ago and when they were showing footage of girls surfing I leaned over to my and said "They need to make a movie about Bethany Hamilton. The girl who lived from a shark att..." BOOM. The girl's arm gets bitten off. And I just say "Oh yeah, this is on the top of my list for April."
The trailer also had the song "Firework" by Katy Perry. Why it wasn't in the movie was a little weak because, while I'm not fond of the song and think it's the same bubbly, frothy, inspirational pop song sung by girls in their hairbrush every day I felt the song was used for what it's truly for in the film. The lyrics "Baby you're a firework. C'mon let your colors burst" just fit perfectly with the message brought in the film.
Soul Surfer is not perfect, but it will be an inspiring story for young women with some sort of restriction that they believe will keep them from doing what they want. Bethany is a living miracle in her own right. She's a beautiful women with so much potential even with one arm. Normality and beauty are in the eyes of the beholder. Bethany is a normal girl with normal dreams of being successful. She overcame her roadblock and is now doing what she wants. Just remarkable.
Starring: AnnaSophia Robb, Dennis Quaid, Helen Hunt, Jeremy Sumpter, Ross Thomas, Lorianne Nicholson, Chris Brochu, Kevin Sorbo, and Carrie Underwood. Directed by: Seth McNamara.