Film Review: Soul Surfer
Olly Mann doesn't expect much from this new film, and unsurprisingly it fails to deliver.
23 Sep 2011, 18:00
Another Disney standard movie?
The real-life hero is Bethany Hamilton, a promising teenage surfer from Hawaii, who one fateful day got her arm ripped off by a shark. Despite the international media attention, and the psychological anguish that inevitably accompanied the tragedy, she got back on her board, strengthened by her religious beliefs, and went on to become a one-armed surfing sensation.
A great story, no question, but in this version ruthlessly reconstructed to appeal solely to teenage girls. The first twenty-five minutes of the movie is filled with sunkissed vistas, tight teen torsos, acoustic beach guitar music and a LOT of product placement for Rip Curl. For an adult viewer it’s almost unbearably tedious. The airbrushed actors, all of whom are more attractive than their real-life counterparts - AnnaSophia Robb as Bethany, Helen Hunt as mom and Dennis Quaid as dad – are, to be fair, emotionally authentic. But, with the greatest of respect for the real Bethany Hamilton, I couldn’t wait for the shark to come and bite her arm off.
When the incident does finally come, it is brief, vivid and well-staged. For the middle third of the film, we’re supposed to be questioning what it’s like to come to terms with such a debilitating amputation. Instead, of course, we spend our time studying the SFX. They’re really impressive. Robb walks past mirrors, makes shadows, goes for a swim - and not once is there a moment where we don’t completely believe she only has one arm. Psychologically, it’s harder to relate. Presumably out of respect to the real Bethany, who is still only 21, we’re never privvy to any real desperation; despite the ‘I’ll never surf again!’ storyline, she basically copes admirably at every turn. And, I’m afraid, watching someone cope admirably is just not as interesting as watching someone break down. Though young girls will more readily identify with the ‘how will a boy ever be interested in me?’ stuff.
And then comes the final section of the movie, with one-armed Bethany going back to the water. The fact that mawkish Bible teachings and missionary work motivates her feels uncomfortably proselytising to a British audience. But the surf sequences are great; well presented, exciting and believable, even if you don’t know anything about the sport.
This is not a subtle film. The soundtrack soars into symphony to underscore moments of triumph and descends to dum-dum, dum-dum heartbeat effects whenever there’s a moment of tension. The last hour is watchable, but in the final analysis, only technical proficiency and acting talent raises this above Disney Channel standards.
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