FOLIO
by Rick Grant
The real life Bethany Hamilton had an idyllic childhood growing up in paradise on the island of Oahu on the beach where the big waves run. Her dad was a surfer and she learned how to surf at an early age. Bethany was home schooled and literally lived in the ocean, surfing most of the day. Indeed, it was the perfect life. A life of which most young people dream.
Then, at age 13, God decided to complicate Bethany’s perfect life, so he sent a large predator to give her a huge challenge. One day, while sitting on her board, waiting for a wave, a giant great white shark jumped out of the clear blue sea and bit off her left arm at the shoulder, simultaneously taking a big bite out of her surfboard with the arm–then it disappeared.
Bethany never cried out or whined. She used that challenge to go to Thailand to help tsunami victims and later she became a champion surfer with one arm. It’s the classic come back story
Based on Bethany’s book about her life before and after the accident, filmmaker Sean McNamara co-wrote and directed this film chronicling her inspiring story from her horrific injury to proving she could be a champion again.
AnnaSophia Robb (Because Of Winn-Dixie) stars as Bethany at age 13 as a determined young lady who wants to be a pro surfer. Her dad, Tom (Dennis Quaid) was a champion surfer in his youth and has always acted as Bethany’s coach.
For the cast, this was a dream shoot on location in Kauai and Oahu with a wardrobe consisting of bikinis, swim-trunks and flip-flops. The surfing shots are stunning. The real life Bethany performed her own one arm surfing scenes for the film.
Helen Hunt and Dennis Quaid turned in convincing performances as Bethany’s parents, Cheri and Tom. If one asked any teenage girl what would be her ideal life, she would probably say surfing in Hawaii with parents like Cheri and Tom. Yes, but tragedy can happen to any family no matter how idyllic their life.
More significantly, going through the angst of adolescence is a life changing experience. And, Bethany was no exception. However, her fierce goal orientation and supportive parents kept her fully grounded.
AnnaSophia Robb portrayed Bethany’s post accident life with subtle nuances within the context of her various mood swings. At that age, girls are so sensitive about their looks.
The truth is, Bethany overcame all obstacles to continue her life as a champion surfer and later she developed into a beautiful young woman who learned many life lessons from her accident. Tragedy causes change.
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