Now on DVD: Soul Surfer (2011)

Based on the book 

I saw this movie in the theater last spring and enjoyed it very much. It is now on DVD and has some interesting special features and documentaries. The film is based on the book of the same name by surfer Bethany Hamilton who lost her arm in a shark attack back in 2003. I remember in 2003 when the news story came out and how sad I felt for her. Then I listened to her follow-up interviews after she recovered and was impressed by her faith and determination. This high-quality production tells that story of  how she overcame her disability emotionally and physically to become a professional surfer.

Annasophia Robb (age 17 playing 13) played this part very well and convinced me when she felt pain, depression, and thought of giving up. I thought the film does an excellent job at explaining how she becomes inspired to keep on keeping on, and Bethany's book, I'm sure, goes into much more detail.

There is an amazing sequence where Bethany's church group goes on a humanitarian outreach to help Tsunami victims in Thailand. As I understand, it was all filmed in Hawaii, but it was meticulously recreated. It is during this mission scene where Bethany starts to think about life outside of surfing (which completely absorbed her life), and realizes how helping out others really takes your mind off yourself. This is the best part of the movie, in my opinion.

One more thing that I think deserves attention is this visual effect throughout the movie where the actress' arm is shown completely removed. During filming the actress had to wear a "green screen" glove and her arm was digitially removed later. It's a pretty common effect nowadays, but I can not help but think that such a visual trick could never have been done so realistically 25 years ago. It really amazes me!

Helen Hunt and Dennis Quaid, who last appeared together in 1983's Bill: On His Own, play the surfer's parents and to my surprise there were several scenes where we see both of them riding the waves; they looked like they were having so much fun! Both of them are in fantastic shape and look great. Quaid's other shark-movie connection was Jaws III but I don't know if that was taken into consideration during casting. Quaid really does look like a surfer dad - if you don't believe me see this film. Hunt I had a little trouble accepting as a Hawaiian mom because I still see her in Mad About You.

But overall this is a great wholesome movie with plenty of great surfing action and beautiful scenery. One of my favorite sequences is the Hawaiian Thanksgiving scene. I remember thinking to myself, "ah, to be without snow or cold weather on Thanksgiving!" 

Highly Recommended. On DVD.

Read Laura's review here.