It’s been seven years since Bethany Hamilton lost her left arm in a shark attack while surfing with friends near her home in Hanalei. While her story of courage and determination is repeatedly shown in the media, Director Sean McNamara
It’s been seven years since Bethany Hamilton lost her left arm in a shark attack while surfing with friends near her home in Hanalei. While her story of courage and determination is repeatedly shown in the media, Director Sean McNamara brings the teen’s story to the silver screen in the film “Soul Surfer,” which opens April 8 nationwide.
“Soul Surfer” was filmed over a period of 16 months on Kaua‘i and O‘ahu and stars AnnaSophia Robb in the title role alongside Helen Hunt and Dennis Quaid, who portray Hamilton’s parents. Without adding too many Hollywood embellishments, the film explores the family’s North Shore life. The trio — plus older brothers Noah and Timmy (portrayed by Ross Thomas and Chris Brochu) — are a tight-knit group who live to surf.
Robb is captivating in the title role. The teenage actress is a beginner surfer (Hamilton gave Robb surfing lessons while on set), but her most heartfelt scenes are back on land. Hamilton’s one-armed struggles to tie her blonde locks into a ponytail or slice a piece of fruit are punctured by bouts of frustration and self-pity.
Quaid’s performance as Tom Hamilton also stands out. He instinctively serves as Bethany’s protector when she returns from the hospital, but struggles to accept his daughter’s decision to give up professional surfing.
The film’s most heart-pounding scene portrays the minutes following the attack. While the attack itself was all but over in a matter of seconds, Hamilton’s friends work together to get her out of the water, into an ambulance and to the hospital more than 30 miles away.
The splashy cinematography is brought to life by cameras mounted on surfboards and jet skis, that give an intimate look down the barrel of a wave. Hamilton herself was enlisted to do her own one-armed surfing stunts in the movie.
Country singer Carrie Underwood makes her film debut as Sarah Hill, Hamilton’s friend and Christian youth group leader. Actress Sonya Balmores Chung, who was born and raised on Kaua‘i, portrays Hamilton’s surfing rival that cuts her no slack during competition.
“Soul Surfer” is highlighted by a musical score, which showcases the talents of many Hawai‘i musicians.
The end of the film features home footage from the Hamilton family. Watching a smiling, 13-year-old Bethany catch her first wave after the attack is easily worth the price of a ticket.
“Soul Surfer” opens nationwide April 8. I would bet on Kaua‘i showings to be sold out.
