Soul Surfer
Review
by Anthony Morris
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Soul Surfer
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People might be a bit more concerned about "spoilers" now than they were in the past, but with a film like Soul Surfer
- based on a true story, chances are you already know the story if
you're considering going to see it - they're pretty hard to avoid.
So
let's just get it out there: Bethany Hamilton (AnnaSophia Robb) is a
young up-and-coming surfer in Hawaii who gets her arm bitten off by a
shark.
It's not a gory, blood-drenched attack or anything,
mind you: this isn't that kind of film, as you might have guessed from
the times we see Bethany and the rest of her family at their local
open-air church.
But it doesn't shirk away from the difficulties she faces coming back from such an accident either.
Her
surfing career is in doubt, even if her return to the water never is,
and while her long-time surfer parents (Helen Hunt and Dennis Quaid)
are more than supportive as far as helping her make a comeback goes,
Bethany's increasingly wondering if there's more to life - and her
survival - than surfing.
As true stories go this isn't exactly
a warts and all tale, largely because there doesn't seem to be a whole
lot of warts in the first place.
Bethany was barely in her teens
when the shark attacked and her fightback is an impressive and solidly
traditional tale of courage and determination.
This'll appeal
to two types of viewer: ones after inspirational stories of fighting
back against the odds, and ones interested in the surfing.
It's
probably the latter who'll get the most out of this : Bethany's journey
is well told but nothing special, while the surf at least has moments
of real beauty. 2 out
of 5
Soul Surfer
Australian release: 26th May,
2011
Official
Site: Soul Surfer
Cast: AnnaSophia Robb, Helent Hunt, Dennis Quaid, Carrie Underwood
Director: Sean McNamara
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