Date Released: 08/16/2002
Rated: PG-13 (sexual content, teen partying, a fight scene and language)
Length: 104 minutes
Produced by: Brian Grazer, Karen Kehela
Directed by: John Stockwell
Cast: Kate Bosworth, Michelle Rodriguez, Matthew Davis, Mika Boorem, Sanoe Lake
Distributor: Universal
This movie is captivating when cinematographer David Hennings works his magic by producing the hypnotic rush of blue that's plastered on both the luscious Hawaiian water and the crystal skyline. If anything, moviegoers will feel the need to be intoxicated by the adrenalin-seeking watery stunts accompanied by an energized rock soundtrack. This is all well and good but screenwriter Lizzy Weiss sugarcoats her script in an atmospheric, glossy-looking synthetic fashion. "Blue Crush" competently plays on the visual senses but it eventually takes a nasty nosedive as far as supplying a feasible plot is concerned. The film is too manipulative to be deemed campy fun and too thinly conceived to be a durable, heartfelt romantic adventure. "Crush" is predictably flimsy if not notoriously flashy in the "bimbo & himbo" beach-blanket department.
Anne Marie (Kate Bosworth) is a hot-dogging Maui native surfer trying to regain her confidence after a near fatal drowning accident during a competition some three years before. She is determined to conquer her fears and gradually get back into the scene of crashing those ominous waves that once threatened her livelihood. So what is Anne Marie's ultimate goal in overcoming her ordeal with almost being part of a watery grave? Well, she hopes to regain her surfing skills back by methodically training for the Pipe Masters, the surfing game's most challenging and ominous wave-riding event. Undoubtedly, the film doesn't hesitate to throw out the expected cliches' to highlight the blonde beauty's comeback. See Anne Marie fight the demons as she climbs back into the surfing gig with the possessed absurdity of Gidget on crack. See Anne Marie take on the world of male-dominated surfing in her attempt to break up the good ol' boys club and show some she-power spunkiness. And does Anne Marie measure up to the task of socking it to the disbelieving observers? In short, is a darn frog waterproof?
As if Anne Marie doesn't have enough on her mind in terms of preparing for the upcoming Pipe Masters, she has to look out for her younger 14-year old sister Penny (Mika Boorem). Both Anne Marie and Penny were left to fend for themselves when their unreliable mother abandoned them. Plus Anne Marie toils away at making peanuts while working as a maid at an Oahu hotel resort. Her buddies and fellow surfer enthusiasts, Eden ("Girlfight's" Michelle Rodriguez) and Lena (Sanoe Lake), are supportive of Anne Marie's stressful predicament.
Adding to the mixture of Anne Marie's confusion and worries is her ill-advised decision to become heavily involved with a hunky pro quarterback named Matt (Matthew Davis). Anne Marie jeopardizes her objective to train because of her newfound focus on Matt. Of course this lack of concentration doesn't sit too well with her galpals Eden and Lena. Consequently, and to nobody's real surprise, Anne Marie is mounted with pressures that are financially, emotionally, romantically and psychologically self-destructive. But the film never misses a beat in reminding the audience that this bikini-clad babe is resilient and will do what it takes to confront her pending issues. Yeah...okay...whatever!
"Blue Crush" is based on author Susan Orlean's late ninties magazine article that told about the exploits of Maui-based female surfers. The written piece by Orlean must have been quite fascinating, especially when lending some forethought to the notion of a woman's competitive drive in a sporting field engineered by the stability of free-wheeling male prominence. But Stockwell doesn't take the time to build up this obvious and notable premise. Even the real emotional gusto within his curvy and muscle-bound players are profoundly barren and about as eventful and satisfying as gargling with sand.
Instead of seriously offering any insight into the colorful activity of surfing (particularly from a disillusioned young woman's point of view), Stockwell seems more interested in pouring on the aesthetic juices rather than giving substance and plausibility to the wayward and stiff storylines. The photography is undeniably exquisite thanks to an overactive camera that seizes the incredible kinetic moments. On several accounts, watching "Blue Crush" reminds one of checking out a fluffy Imax-made film dedicated to noticing emerging G-string tan lines. Other than the excitable "surfs up" motiff that involves one woman's constant need to stay balanced in her so-called hectic life (as well as on her surfboard), there's not much here to regard besides the hot-bods prancing about and the swaggering athleticism of the adventurous protagonists.
Despite its nagging tease of redemption and resolution, this inept romancer/actioner sinks more than it swims--and in shallow water no less! "Blue Crush", truthfully speaking, is all wet behind the ears--and everywhere else for that matter!
Frank rates this film: ** stars (out of 4 stars)