Soul Surfer

Surfer Sends a Lot of Soul and Faith to Spectators
Soul Surfer, PG, *****, AnnaSophia Robb, Dennis Quaid, Helen Hunt. Director Sean McNamara. Length 104 minutes.

I have always wanted to surf. I guess it comes from all the surfing songs I loved along with the sun, fun, and laid back attitude that generally goes with beach life. I chose to substitute surfing for slalom water skiing since I was not in California. I skied 27 miles once in the Tennessee River on one ski or as it is called slalom skiing. It is really not that difficult once the skill has been perfected. Anyway, I have witnesses who were in the boat in the event this sounds far fetched. Enough about that.
“Soul Surfer is a film which uses surfing and a tragedy as vehicles to relate to the audience a higher meaning concerning our existence. The film is set in Hawaii, and it is based on a true story with an uplifting message for everyone.
It follows the life of Bethany Hamilton (AnnaSophie Robb). Bethany loves to surf. She lives for the moments she can ride the big waves and compete with her peers. The reader probably knows what happens, because this was in the news a few years ago. A shark ripped her left arm off while she was in the ocean waiting for a wave to catch. The scene is gruesome.
Of course, this is a traumatic experience for Bethany and everyone who knows her or has compassion for others. Her parents are played by Dennis Quaid and Helen Hunt. Carrie Underwood plays a youth director at the church Bethany attends and the leader of humanitarian mission trips.
The first few minutes of the film develops the story, and it progresses toward a higher meaning in life. Our lives are more than just the personal goals we are trying to accomplish. It is about how we live our life and the purpose of our existence.
The movie makes a giant leap into an excellent and outstanding message when Bethany travels to Thiland with a church group after the disastrous tsunami. Earlier in the film she chose not to go on a mission trip, because she wanted to train for her competition in a surfing event coming up. The accident happened during that time on Halloween. I wondered about the voodoo music playing during the shocking scene.
In Thiland she realizes what life is all about while she is there helping orphans, victims, and people who have lost everything.
From this point until the final credits, the film will move the audience emotionally. Bethany begins to surf again with a new outlook on her situation. Bethany’s attitude and situation will tug at the heart of the viewer.
The story shows how Bethany, her family, her friends, her fans, and the world learns to take life one day at a time. Bethany gives inspiration to everyone. “Soul Surfer” provides encouragement to everyone without being preachy or overbearing.
The real message is love, compassion, and being helpful to people who need comfort, care, and empathy.
Achieving goals is not easy. It takes hard work and determination, along with perseverance. As a lifelong teacher, I like to tell students to strive toward achieving an A. If that does not happen, just remember what was accomplished while on the journey of working to reach the goal. The hard work along with striving to win first prize is worth the effort.
“Soul Surfer” is a film for the whole family, school groups, and churches. Stay for the credits and watch the real Bethany Hamilton surf and demonstrate her love for life. It will rejuvenate ones faith and spirit.