Well photographed but very predictable

Rating: 3/10 (19 November 2003)

I have always hated surfing and the whole shallow attitude that is usually attributed to surfers. For the most part this film proves what I have always said. Story takes place in Hawaii where we see three young women who get up early and surf. Then they head to their chambermaid jobs during the day and then head back to the beach. Anne Marie Chadwick (Kate Bosworth) was a championship quality surfer but suffered a bad spill and was injured. She has been trying to overcome the trauma of that and challenge in the big surfing contest next week. Her roommates Eden (Michelle Rodriguez) and Lena (Sanoe Lake) try to encourage her and help her get back in shape. Anne Marie also takes care of her younger sister Penny (Mika Boorem) but she is becoming rebellious and hanging out with the wrong sort. One day Anne Marie meets a pro football player named Matt (Matthew Davis) and gives him surfing lessons but they quickly become a couple. Anne Marie doesn't know how deep his feelings are and she doesn't want to end up being just another quick fling for a jock.
This film was directed by John Stockwell who has slowly developed into a pretty good filmmaker and this is a good looking film. Its technically well made and the performances by Bosworth and Rodriguez are earnest but they're just is not a shred of character development. Yes, we know Anne Marie's mother has bailed out and she also suffered from a wipe-out but all the other characters just seem to be there to serve her. Bosworth's character talks of never wanting to go to college but later she moans of having a hard time paying her bills. What does she expect? Of course this is a fable meant for a younger (And less tasteful) audience and teenagers seem to be the target. The plot and characters are so very predictable that when the film ended there was absolutely no surprises. Pretty much what you think is going to happen does! Most of these characters are so dumb and obnoxious that it becomes impossible to be interested in them. Why were those local boys always barking orders at Anne Marie? Who are they to tell anyone what to do? It was ridiculous toward the end of the film when those same Neanderthals were rooting her on during the competition. Are we suppose to forget they're violent behavior during the film and think that they're really decent people? I didn't and you can't help but think that they're the biggest losers on the planet. In fact, I couldn't help but feel sorry for all the characters that live to surf. What a waste of time and life and too bad that none of these people are able to have any type of a life. This film is only for people(!) that love surfing. Anyone that has read one book in their life and has more than two working brain cells should be warned!