SOUL SURFER DVD (2011)
SYNOPSIS: Soul Surfer is the incredible true story of teen surfer Bethany Hamilton who lost her arm in a shark attack and courageously overcame all odds to become a champion again through her sheer determination and unwavering faith. The film features an all-star cast including Anna Sophia Robb and Helen Hunt with Carrie Underwood in her film debut and Dennis Quaid. In the wake of this life-changing event that took her arm and nearly her life, Bethany's feisty determination and steadfast beliefs spur her toward an adventurous comeback that gives her the grit to turn her loss into a gift for others.
MOVIE REVIEW:
Faith-based dramas are a tough lot to like if you’re not in the faith- after all, most, if not all, tend to get preachy and excessively righteous. But ‘Soul Surfer’, based on the true story of Bethany Hamilton, a 13-year-old amateur competition surfer in Hawaii who lost her arm in a freak shark attack and through sheer grit preserved in her ambitions, is one of the very rare few that should appeal to both believers and non-believers equally- chiefly because it doesn’t preach, but uses religion matter-of-factly to tell of its role in Bethany’s recovery.
Indeed, look past the open-air church worship scenes and the religious talk by youth cell group leader Sarah (played by country singer Carrie Underwood) and you will find that no less than four writers (Sean McNamara, Deborah Schwartz, Douglas Schwartz and Michael Berk) have found the right emphasis on religion in the movie by highlighting its importance in providing Bethany with the strength and the resolve to get into the water and stand up on that surfing board even with just one arm. Yes, it is no easy feat, and instead of glorifying their subject, the writers have accurately attributed Bethany’s determination to her firm belief in God.
But first and foremost, this is a story about overcoming life’s adversities- even if we can’t always make sense of them all- and director Sean McNamara, together with a pitch-perfect cast, ensures that the story is poignant and heartfelt. The first half hour introduces us to the passionate surfer Bethany was right from the day she was born in the Hawaiian island of Kauai, her perfect family of dad Tom (Dennis Quaid), mom Cheri (Helen Hunt) and brother Noah (Ross Thomas), her best friend Alana Blanchard (Lorraine Nicholson) and of course her Christian faith. Her supposed perfect life comes apart when she loses her arm to a 14-foot tiger shark during a morning surf.
McNamara makes the attack swift, but brings across the anxiety and distress of the situation through an extended sequence which sees Alana’s dad Holt pulling Bethany out of the water and rushing her to meet the ambulance halfway to the hospital with Cheri right behind him. The entire sequence is electrifying, and conveys acutely how nerve-wracking it must have been for both Bethany and her family- which only makes Bethany’s subsequent healing even more profound.
Like most of us probably would, Bethany asks this ‘How could this be God’s plan for me?’, as she tries to continue living the life she always had in the same way and finding even the simplest of tasks (e.g. wearing her swimsuit, slicing fruits, preparing dinner) demanding. Wisely, the movie doesn’t offer any answers to that question- instead, it shows her change of perspective, recognising that she is fortunate enough to survive, and then realising through a mission trip to tsunami-struck Thailand in 2004 that there are many others much worse off than her.
And as played by AnnaSophia Robb, every moment of Bethany’s agony, pessimism, courage and perseverance is portrayed beautifully. Robb gives a most spirited performance that will win you over effortlessly, and she possesses a magnetic charisma on screen. McNamara chooses as the film’s climax Bethany’s fifth place win in the NSSA Regional Event in 2004, and while it may not seem much of a triumph at first sight, Robb translates the significance of that win into the personal achievement of her character magnificently.
The rest of the cast are equally stellar, in particular Quaid and Hunt as Bethany’s parents and a surprising moving turn by former Hercules TV star Kevin Sorbo as Bethany’s saviour, Holt. McNamara also makes the film look gorgeous at every turn whether in or out of the water, aided in no small measure by John F. Leonetti’s cinematography. And McNamara also deserves credit for a slick polished film that never misses any of its emotional beats, while remaining genuine and authentic in its retelling of Bethany’s life.
Whether or not you are a believer of the Christian faith, we urge you to watch this inspirational tale of a truly courageous and spirited young individual. You may not share her religious faith, but you can be sure that her zest and faith in life will definitely be something that you can relate to. Faith aside, this is one of the most rousing triumph-over-adversity movies you’ll see this year
SPECIAL FEATURES:
There are about four mins worth of eight Deleted Scenes, but these are largely brief and add little to what is already in the film. There is also a standard ‘Making Of’ featurette, which has cast and crew interviews about taking on Bethany’s life story, especially in terms of how director Sean McNamara took pains to get the story right.
‘Surfing for the Screen’ specifically tackles how the cast went through surfing lessons before the shoot, because the Hamilton family were insistent that the film get the surfing scenes right. ‘Becoming Bethany’ looks at how Robb settled into her character, and the interactions between Robb and Hamilton on the set. The last of the featurettes is ‘Bethany Hamilton on Professional Surfing’ which offers real-life surfing footage of Bethany.
Once you have gone through the clips above, you should settle down for ‘Heart of a Soul Surfer’, a 30-min long documentary made in 2007 that takes an in-depth look at the shark encounter together with interviews with family and friends which give a realistic perspective to the repercussions following the attack.
AUDIO/VISUAL:
The Dolby Digital 5.1 audio is perfect, providing great atmospherics through the sound of the waves and the cheers of the crowds. Sound is also well-balanced front and back to give a surround sound experience. The visual transfer on this disc is just as excellent, the blue waters and tropical greenery of the lush Hawaiian backdrop making each image picturesque and gorgeous to look at.
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Review by Gabriel Chong
Posted on 31 August 2011
