2.9 Response 4 - Soul Surfer

Title: Soul Surfer
Director: Sean McNamara 
Text Type: Movie

The movie ‘Soul Surfer’, directed by San McNamara is about overcoming life’s difficulties and never giving up on your dreams, and how the support of friends and family are really important through this process. The movie is based on a true story of a teenage girl who is extremely passionate about surfing, who lost her arm in a shark attack. The movie is about how the shark attack impacts her everyday life as well as her surfing career, and how she adapts to her new life without an arm. I had already watched the film as a child so I knew the storyline, but my first thoughts on the film was how inspirational it was for me.

I connect the film to myself because I am going through something similar; an injury that is impacting my life in a massive way just like the loss of arm impacts Bethany. I am currently recovering from a concussion, which even though it isn’t a visible injury, it is visibly taxing, and means I have to stop my passion, stop living my dream for a period of time. I am in a similar situation to Bethany is in the film because we were both unable to practice our passions and both were troubled by our uncertain future (her in surfing and me in football), but I noticed we both have a very supportive family.

This is my first point. A theme consistent throughout the movie is the importance of family. The first scene of the movie is a montage of Bethany growing up with her parents, two brothers and her best friend, Alana. I think the montage was a powerful first scene as it is the first time we can see the tight family bond the Hamilton’s have. We also get to see the support and encouragement Bethany receives as she grows up, and example of this being in the montage when her parents teach her to surf, smiling and laughing together. This shows us the happy and healthy family support Bethany has. The support of Bethany’s family is a consistent theme throughout the movie; shown lightheartedly at the beginning as she grows up, but there is a more urgent support after the shark attack. Bethany becomes discouraged in herself and her ability after she loses her arm, and struggles to overcome simple challenges and an almost depression is brought into it. But her family is very supportive and keeps pressing for her to follow her dreams and to never give up. I think this is an important theme in the movie because it tells society to never give up on those you care about, and even though life may change to always keep pushing and encouraging those you love and who love you to be the best person they can be whatever the circumstances. 

Another idea I found interesting in the movie is overcoming life’s difficulties to pursue your passion and dreams. In the movie, Bethany needs to get past the shark attack and loss of arm in order to continue her passion of surfing. I believe this is an important idea in the movie because it is very real in society. Everyone is faced with challenges which stop them from following their dreams for a period of time. This idea is important in the movie because viewers can feel inspired by Bethany’s story that even though they may be hindered by injury or illness or if they feel discouraged about their dreams, seeing Bethany overcome a loss of an arm and return to her sport as a champion can be so important to help people believe in themselves, and keep pushing forward to follow their dreams. I have felt this personally because for me, watching Bethany return to surfing after getting attacked by a shark - actually while surfing - and also not living her life in fear of the ocean. This was so inspirational for me and such an important idea because it inspires and encourages me that even though my concussion may feel like the end of the world, one day I will be able to get back out there and enjoy my passion once again. 

This movie would be important for other year 12 students because is it portraying an important idea of overcoming challenges, which is present in society today. Bethany’s struggle is very real, and though others may not be faced with a shark attack, everyone is faced with challenges that prevent them from chasing their dreams. The story of Bethany overcoming her challenge can inspire year 12’s to keep pushing to overcome their own challenges. The movie also shows two sides of Bethany; the first being her wallowing in self doubt and frustration at herself and her inability. This is a side which everyone can relate to because we have all been in a place where we feel we can’t move forward. The other side is of Bethany deciding to ultimately move on with her life, where she decides to believe in herself and continues to chase her passion. These two sides give a viewer two options of which to take in their own battle. I would definitely recommend this movie to anyone who is in a tough place whether it be physical or mental, this movie is very inspiring and uplifting and shows you how to stay in a positive mindset even when the whole world feels like it’s falling apart. The movie also teaches us to not be afraid to seek help from people around us, as Bethany depends on her family and friends spirit to keep her motivated in professional surfing. 


The director wants to inform viewers of Bethany’s life and her story. I believe informing society of this story is important because it shows society that we all face our own battles. The director uses good film techniques to show the strong bond between Bethany and her family, especially through the montage in the start of the film. Through these techniques and a continued display of family support, I believe the director wants to show the viewer that the support of family is crucial to the recovery of a teen, and in a bigger context, through life the ongoing support close friends and family provide is very important and makes us all stronger in the end.

www.prichanel.blogspot.com

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