How many of you saw that recent viral video of the Australian surfer that ended up getting caught in a tussle with a great white shark? While the video did portray the oceanic fears of many, it simultaneously showcased one of life’s most thrilling, incredible, and magnificent sports known to man (and woman!) – surfing.
It’s been said that surfing is as close a connection you can have with Mother Nature.
To surf, you’re riding a pulse of energy from Mother Nature. And it’s strong. It’s real. It’s there. And you’re dancing with that. You’re connecting with that.
When a filmmaker can not only capture the magic that is surfing but can doubly work in an awe-inspiring true story, it is sure to amount to something that will easily capture audiences far and wide. While I’ve certainly seen my fair share of surf movies, there is one particular film that embodies the beauty found within surfing and the spirit that coincides.
The Perfect Wave is the true story of a young, adventurous Ian McCormack and through the movie, you’ll see how true it is that life can change in an instant.
Wanting to dive deeper, Ian sets out on a journey with his best friend that will change his life as they chase the perfect wave. Traveling through Australia, Southeast Asia, and Africa, they surf incredible breaks and adventure, looking for the force that drives the world.
At some point in their lives, everyone has a run in with their own adventurous side. We all want to experience everything that life has to offer, we want to explore the world, see new places, try new things, and truly take charge of our own existence. However, it is often in the middle of doing so when we cross paths with that certain someone and, in turn, we exchange one adventure for a new one.
When Ian meets Annabel, a striking and kindred soul, he abandons his friend on a new quest of love an ecstasy.
Now, no love story goes without troubles. For many, it is jealousy that often derails any relationship and, for Ian, the same held true. After parting ways, he had second thoughts and decided to, this time, chase the girl of his dreams. Unfortunately, nothing in life can ever be so simple.
Broken by his own soul, Ian chases her to an island paradise to win her back. One night, Ian joins some friends on a night dive for lobster and in the dark water of the reef, encounters a group of dreaded box jellyfish with venom so virulent; one sting will kill. Ian is stung five times before he knows what’s happening and struggles back to shore, where he is abandoned and left without hope.
He was dead.
It wasn’t one sting, instead, it was five.
As he lay there along the shoreline, his life washed away with the tide.
The ocean, the great blue beyond, the nature created adventure that he once chased; it was that very entity that stole the adventure from him.
With no friends nearby to help, what will come of young Ian?
Ian awakes finding himself out of his own body, in complete darkness in a cold and strange place. As Ian struggles with what has happened and is lifted out of the darkness on a perfect wave of light, rising to heaven at the feet of Christ, where he is forgiven, redeemed and given the choice to stay in true paradise or return to tell the world his story. Remembering his mother’s love and wanting to share what he’s seen, Ian chooses to return.
Amazingly enough, Ian truly awakens. Fifteen minutes after doctors had declared him dead, he opened his eyes to, once more, see the light of day. What started out as an adventure to chase excitement and find the driving force of the world turned into a venture of self-discovery and a first-person lesson on the true meaning of life. Even when the day gets dark and the world (or waves) seem to cave in on you, there’s always a light at the end of the tunnel (or barrel), you just have to choose to open your eyes and see it.
As previously mentioned, The Perfect Wave is the true story of Ian McCormack’s life and, while it may seem like a storyline torn from the pages of a well-written fiction novel, the events depicted throughout the film are a perfect recap of his past experiences. Having chosen to return, Ian promised to share his story and this movie adaptation is his way of doing so. Just take a look:
My family and I thoroughly enjoyed this movie and I loved that, because of the casting, I was able to focus on the message being portrayed. Starring Scott Eastwood, The Perfect Wave was a beautifully crafted motion picture and I was glad to see so many unfamiliar faces on screen. The performance given by each actor was wonderfully done and I am glad to have been able to enjoy this movie with my family. Not only was it a great movie overall but it was entertaining, beautifully shot, and its meaning goes far beyond the movie’s end. Whether you’re looking for a great movie night, a stellar surfing film, or one with a family-faith storyline, I highly recommend this film.
Buy:
You can purchase the Hero DVD exclusively from Walmart, both, online and in stores nationwide.
Connect:
Be sure to keep up with Hero on the movie’s social media pages to stay up to follow along with the film, cast, fun imagery, and more.
Facebook | Twitter | YouTube
