The true story of Bethany Hamilton, the blonde teenage surfing champion from Hawaii who lost her left arm to a tiger shark (but continued to surf), sounds almost too obvious for a triumph-of-the-human-spirit bio-pic. “Soul Surfer,” while formulaic in design, is an authentic and heartfelt movie. Bethany maintained her sanity and spirit through her Christian faith and AnnaSophia Robb gives Bethany’s belief in God a concrete depth and understanding. When Bethany gets up on that surfboard again, refusing to wear a prosthetic limb, her determination is genuine and we see that she’s out to prove only to herself that she can surf again.
The story has little conflict as the characters believe that a loving God guides their fates and all will work out for the best. There’s one emotional scene that happens at the breakfast table, but that’s all. Perhaps a bit less optimism would make a more gripping drama. Still there’s plenty of visual excitement in the exceptional surfing scenes as the photography literally gets inside the curling waves on the North Shore of Oahu. Dennis Quaid and Helen Hunt effectively portray Bethany’s loving and supportive parents and AnnaSophia Robb is convincing as a surfer (thanks to effective stunt work and digital effects). However, singer Carrie Underwood is awkward and stiff as Bethany’s religious mentor. Although I enjoyed learning more about Bethany’s story, I think I would have enjoyed a documentary more. Nonetheless, “Soul Surfer” is heartwarming and inspirational. 4/4/11
1 comment:
"Soul Surfer" Is an amazing story of a young girl overcoming almost impossible odds in order to return to the sport she loves.
I really enjoyed this film, a combination of the movies "Rocky" and "Rudy" with surf scenes that will blow your mind. Very much worth seeing!
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