Soul Surfer —movie review

Truly great films effect us all in many different ways.  Some of them leave you wanting to go out and do something heroic.  Others keep you laughing for hours afterwords.

Soul Surfer is one of the kind that makes you laugh, cry, and swell with hope, and question how you would have responded if this had been your story.  If you had to suddenly deal with the fact that you were missing an arm.

Bethany Hamilton has inspired me for years, as she has hundreds of other people around the world.  Mainly for not shrinking back and feeling sorry for herself, or embarrassed, but pressing on, and pressing further into the Savior she knew still loved her.

AnnaSophia Robb plays Bethany in this film, and does a wonderful job.



In 2003, Bethany was a very gifted surfer with a passion for her sport.  Living in Hawaii in a surfing family, she spent more time in the water than she did on land, and was well on her way to becoming a champion.

Then, all at once, it happened.  A 14-foot tiger shark attacked and took her left arm.  Bethany lost more than 60% of her blood, but her calm, level-headed response kept her alive.

All of the sudden, Bethany had to face life with only one arm.  But she was determined to surf again.





I'd tell you more, but it's better to just watch the movie for yourself.  ;)

The Soul Surfer movie tells Bethany's story very faithfully, especially for a mainstream Hollywood film.  And they didn't water down or erase her faith— it comes through loud and clear as a normal part of everyday life.

(My only major objection was to several rather skimpy bikinis, and a magazine photo shoot in which a friend of Bethany's strikes some sultry poses.  Neither the bikinis nor the photo shoot were focused on or handled poorly, but they were there, so it's something to note.)

I know many people were just as shocked and sorry for Bethany as I was when I heard her story on the news in 2003. But until you watch Soul Surfer for yourself, you have no idea what it would be like to loose an arm.  The movie does a wonderful job giving us a taste of that.  It's kept me thinking for days.


Bethany Hamilton and AnnaSophia Robb.



Bethany got to do all her own one-arm surfing stunts for the 2nd half of the movie, and shows up as an extra in other places.


Bethany with the shark attack board.

"God knows what He and I can handle together. And it's not me doing it in my own strength, it's Him giving me the strength to live and move on.  ...Every day...has shown that He is real, and He loves me."     —Bethany Hamilton

So, all that to say that Soul Surfer is one of my favorite movies of all time.  Partly because it deals with a major loss and still trusting our Savior in spite of it.  Of course it's not a perfect movie, but very inspirational, and very faithful to the story of one brave girl who truly believes that

I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.       Philippians 4:13