Charlie St. Cloud

Dark Clouds and Blue Skies Happens in Life
Charlie St.Cloud, PG-13, ***,Zac Efron, Amanda Crew, Charlie Tahan Ray Liotta, Kim Bassinger. Director Burr Steers. Universal Pictures. Length 99 minutes.

The film begins with an exciting sailboat race. Charlie St. Cloud (Zac Efron) and his little brother Sam, (Charlie Tahan), are vying for first place. They are behind, but with Charlie’s expertise in sailing, they pass the leaders and land first place. He is captain of the sailing team at his high school.
Charlie is a senior with a scholarship to Stanford University. Charlie and Sam’s mother is played by Kim Bassinger. She is a single mom struggling to pay bills.
Unfortunately, after the boat race, their lives take a horrible turn. While Charlie is taking Sam on an errand, a car accident changes the mood of the film. Sam is killed and Charlie is saved by paramedic Flori Ferrent (Ray Liotta). Charlie blames himself.
Five years go by and Charlie has made some unusual decision. After the accident, he gave up his scholarship and began working at the local graveyard.
He becomes anti-social and a recluse. His mom moves to another state.
The movie is based on the book The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud by Ben Sherwood.
The plot will strike a chord with viewers of “Ghost” and “The Sixth Sense.” Charlie promised to teach Sam how to play baseball. This reminded me of when I was a child and my big brother taught me the basics of baseball. I still look up to my big brother. The bond between siblings is very important. Of course I did not die young. I guess “Only the good die young.”
Charlie meets Sam at 5 o’clock everyday, so they can play catch. As in “The Sixth Sense” he talks to dead people. His life revolves around meeting Sam at the same time each day. He cannot let go of the past.
The film is a heartwarming experience about life, death, and love. Some viewers may think it is a little too sentimental or corny. However, watching the film can be entertaining and uplifting.
Tess Carroll (Amanda Carroll) a former class mate of Charlie’s arrives in town. She is attempting to sail around the world. This will remind the audience of the young girl in the news recently who was rescued after attempting this feat.
The movie uses a quote I heard several years ago. If we had a choice of feeling nothing or feeling pain, we should choose pain. It proves we are alive. The movie had a song that I really liked many years ago. It was California Sun, by “The Rivieras.” However, the song in the film is played by another group. It has the same lyrics, but a different band. It is about going out West and following one’s dreams.
Some people travel on land for adventure. The movie’s underlying theme is about sailing the ocean and following our hopes and ideas. Maybe going around the world to exotic places or chasing other feats is part of finding our inner strength.
A poem by e e cummings, dive for dreams has an impact on Charlie and Tess. I recommend the film for good family entertainment with a story about seeking redemption and enjoying life. Not forgetting the past – but welcoming the future. Read the poem by e e cummings. It is worth the read.