Caught by a Wave

Movie review by Barbara Shulgasser-Parker, Common Sense Media
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Common Sense says

age 13+

Teens in love must face illness; some mature themes.

NR 2021 99 minutes
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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Caught by a Wave is a tear-jerking teen love story featuring two attractive and likable characters who must cope with a possibly terminal health issue, in the vein of Everything Everything and The Fault in Our Stars. This one is in Italian, with English subtitles, and involves sailing races along Italy's scenic coastline. Language includes "bitch" and "bastard." The teens kiss and it's clear they've had sex, but it's all handled off-screen. Characters drink alcohol and smoke cigarettes and deal with loss. Sick kids and teens succumb to their illnesses. Someone suffers cardiac circulatory collapse and requires oxygen.

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What's the Story?

CAUGHT BY A WAVE is set in a picturesque resort town on the coast of Italy, where assistant sailing counselor Lorenzo (Roberto Christian) falls for camper Sara (Elvira Carrone). They're attracted to each other but for reasons not immediately revealed, Sara is reluctant to get close. Although a capable sailor, leg pain makes it difficult for her to perform at a high level. When camp ends, she tries to keep her pain from her parents because it's a clear sign that her muscular dystrophy, a degenerative muscle disease, is getting worse. She's opened up to Lorenzo but hasn't told him that she's sick. When the pain grows too intense to hide, her parents force her to attend rehab, where her therapist works with a group of other youths struggling with debilitating diseases. Her parents tell Lorenzo that Sara is sick, hoping he'll leave her alone and not sap her strength and possibly hasten her demise. Will Lorenzo be strong enough to be there for Sara?

Is It Any Good?

With two attractive leads as star-crossed lovers, this story goes down easy. Concerned parents, dire illness in youth, and first love all combine to make this the kind of story that could appeal to young viewers and also provoke thoughts on mortality and the preciousness of life. Caught by a Wave handles both illness and love with equal sensitivity, comparing favorably with The Fault in Our Stars. Both films may stimulate an awareness of human fragility, something young healthy teens may not otherwise consider.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how teens deal with difficult real-life problems. Does this movie depict adults respecting the thoughts and feelings of young people struggling with life and death issues? How so?

  • Someone suggests that learning to live with pain is a part of life. Can you think of some painful truths that people must learn to deal with?

  • Sara makes a decision about how to spend her energy and how to spend what she has left of her time. Do you think she made good decisions? Why or why not?

Movie Details

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