SOUL SURFER
US, 2011, 106 minutes. Colour.
Anna Sophia Robb, Dennis Quaid, Helen Hunt, Carrie Underwood, Ross Thomas, Lorraine Nicholson, Kevin Sorbo.
Directed by Sean Mc Namara.
Both words in the title need to be kept in mind as we watch this rather noble-minded film.
The surfing is obvious. Bethany Hamilton and her whole family live in Hawaii and surfing is second nature to them all. From a little girl (and there are quite a number of home movie clips during the final credits) Bethany has excelled in surfing skills.
The soul takes us into the religious beliefs and practices of the Hamilton’s. They are quite explicit in their Gospel-church faith (and much less reticent in expressing it than many members of mainstream churches). They attend church, they sing with zest, they believe in a ministry of service to others. In fact, there is a final credit of thanks to Jesus Christ – and, right at the end, Jesus gets another thanks. (This type of religion and heart on the sleeve may not appeal to more heady, less emotional people, but it would be a pity if the Hamilton faith was not given respect by reviewers and audiences.)
Most people intending to see Soul Surfer probably know that one morning, enjoying the surf with friends, Bethany was suddenly attacked by a shark and lost one of her arms completely. This sequence is shown briefly and without much close-up but it is still a jolt and a shock. Fortunately, friends were able to contact the hospital and, though Bethany lost a lot of blood, doctors were able to help her and stitch the wound almost at shoulder level.
Though quite an exuberant young girl, Bethany was calm and stoic during her ordeal. Subsequently, her main concern was whether she could surf again or not. The second part of the film shows her determination, her continued attempts and failures, her ultimate success followed by a strict and gruelling exercise regime and going back into competition.
Bethany was aided immensely by her parents and the coaching of her father.
Anna Sophia Robb gives a vigorous performance as Bethany. Denis Quaid and Helen Hunt portray her parents.
There is plenty of surfing and giant waves for fans. But, given Bethany’s experience and courage, the film is also highly inspirational and motivational, explicitly so. It might give a strong boost to young people who might have had similar accidents and difficulties to overcome.
1. The film based on a true story? The final images of Bethany Hamilton and her family? The family acting as consultants and advisers? Especially for the surfing sequences?
2. The title, the focus on the surf, the religious perspective? Both combined in Bethany Hamilton?
3. The Hawaiian locations, lifestyle, easy, homes, the surfing community, the range of surfers, the church community, the church action and counselling? The musical score, the religious songs?
4. The portrait of Bethany, the footage of the young girl, her love of the surf and her skills, her relationship with her parents, with her brothers? The family bonds? A young girl in her skills? The adolescent talent? Her friends, especially Alana? Going to surf continually? Competitive?
5. Tom and Cheri Hamilton, surfers for a long time, love for their family, for each other? Care, discipline? Church, the religious motivation?
6. Bethany’s brothers, wholesome, older, tricks at home, games, surfing?
7. Alana and the various friends? Their love of the surf, practice, the competitions, the rivalry with Malina? The Rip Curl choice of the two girls for an advertising campaign?
8. Hawaii and its surfing competitions, world competition, local competitions, the style, the commentators, the judges? The playing the judges’ jokes with their parents surfing?
9. The surf, Bethany in the water, the suddenness of the shark attack, the audience reaction? Holt Blanchard and his immediate action? The son running for the car, smashing the window, getting the phone, the ambulance coming, the hospital sequence, the doctor and his sympathetic treatment, Bethany and her staying calm, stoic, her spiritual motivation?
10. Tom and his being in hospital for the operation, friendship with the doctor, the preparations, the news of Bethany’s accident, the urgency? Cheri and the phone call, hurrying to the hospital?
11. The healing, the stitches coming out, Bethany calm, resigned, yet her hopes?
12. The decision to surf again, finding it hard, her father helping and coaching her, the rope on the board, learning how to breathe, her success?
13. Alana, the Rip Curl photo shoot, Bethany watching?
14. The Blanchard family, Cheri and her gratitude towards Holt? Genial friends? The meal and the celebration?
15. The competition, Bethany and the exercise regime, tough?
16. The competition, Malina, the past, the rivalry, the mean girls atmosphere?
17. The competition, Dad’s advice, waiting for the waves, her initially poor performances, the reaction of the crowds and commentators, her final success, her being disqualified? Malina winning? Bethany satisfied at having made a comeback? Malina inviting her to stand at the top of the podium? Further success?
18. The religious background, the church, Sarah Hill and her earnestness? Bethany and her going on work experience, helping others? Her work for World Vision?
19. Bethany Hamilton’s achievement at such a young age, inspiration, motivation – and two credits to Jesus Christ?
