Common Sense Media Review
By Tracy Moore
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Surfer docu has dark moments but stays light, uplifting.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Stephanie in the Water
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Five-time world champion surfer Stephanie Gilmore discusses her low-key, artful approach to surfing, her feelings about her drive and ambition, and her road to recovery after a vicious physical attack.
Is It Any Good?
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.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Stephanie in the Water's portrayal of ambition. How ambitious is Gilmore? What's her philosophy on surfing? How does her attitude compare with that of other athletes you've watched or read about?
What is Gilmore's attitude about her attack? How do you think it factored into her return to the sport?
What does Gilmore's gender have to do with her success in surfing? How was it a liability or an advantage, according to the documentary?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : August 5, 2014
- Cast : Stephanie Gilmore
- Director : Ava Warbrick
- Studio : Bond/360
- Genre : Documentary
- Run time : 70 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 20, 2019
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