Stephanie in the Water

A deep dive into the career of world champion surfer Stephanie Gilmore, this captivating film is filled with gorgeous shots of pink sunsets and radiating azure waves. It mostly cruises along like an impressionistic, low-key conversation with Gilmore's head space. And for teens interested in surfing and the culture and philosophy of a beach life, it has a nice rhythm. Gilmore discusses her ambition and hesitation about competing, her artful approach to movement on the board, and what it's like to wake up every day knowing you have a title to maintain.

There's a dark moment in the discussion of her tragic physical attack, but for such a happy-go-lucky woman with such a natural, confident talent, there's not much to suggest it was ever really going to hold her back. There's some superfluous footage of press conferences and awards that feels a bit like filler given all the natural beauty in most of the footage, but overall, teens with a keen interest in the sport will be rewarded with a solid meditation on the stakes. Plus, there are some great touches about her attitude toward being a woman in a male-dominated sport and finding her own individual way to trust her instincts and incorporate her femininity into her work that may inspire girl surfers in particular.