Chasing Mavericks (2012)

This movie is a biographical drama about the famous soul surfer Jay Moriarty. To those of you unfamiliar with his story, the film obviously would chronicle his rise to surfing history but more than that it focuses on the incident which made him famous in the first place . Which is the footage of him surfing Mavericks , a gigantic swell which only occurs at least once in a decade . This is a mentor-student-karate-kid type of movie , where Jay's tutor is his neighbor Frosty , a veteran surfer who he idolizes . He actually chased Frosty around to teach him after he caught him and a few friends surfing Mavericks, thus is the catalyst of the film.

I really liked this movie , I know that there has been a lot of criticism. But for me a self-confessed couch potato and movie addict , this is a really nice film. I mean the awesome surf scenes were beautifully shot , and the sound guys brilliantly captured the sound of the swells- you'll be surprised at how bad certain movies are at capturing the sounds of the ocean - yes I pay attention to that. The acting wasn't bad , hey Gerard Butler is a good actor , he plays a varied amount of roles and he has range. Although I smirked a little bit at the idea of him being a surfer - I don't know why, I just do . But seeing him in the movie it was at the very least , believable. And that is no put down , after all the first goal of any actor in any role is believability- that is the foundation of a brilliant performance. It wasn't one , but he was there , he did justice to the part and let's just leave it at that. As for the kid who played jay Moriarty, newcomer Jonny Weston. I think he did better than the other members of the cast . Not just because he is the star , but he was able to embody the spirit of Jay , you know the sense of what he was about . Or what the public perceived him to be. He was able to bring that, and I was engrossed watching him. But what makes this film good is really the surf action, it is an amazing capture , and I loved how they positioned the camera angles. Look this movie may not be award winning material , but it is a fun watch. It is not as bad as critics say it is supposed to be , give it a chance it may just surprise you. Oh and plus fun fact the son of Clint Eastwood, Scott Eastwood is in this movie , see if you can spot him.

Watch Trailer Here

Directed by Curtis Hanson and Michael Apted
Jonny Weston as Jay Moriarity
Gerard Butler as Frosty Hesson
Elisabeth Shue as Kristy Moriarity
Abigail Spencer as Brenda Hesson
Leven Rambin as Kim
Taylor Handley as Sonny
Scott Eastwood as Gordy