Blue Crush

Michelle Rodriguez (from 2000's Girlfight) was on Leno tonight to promote Blue Crush, a movie about three female surfers working their way through life on the North Shore of O`ahu. She mentioned Foodland, compared the quirky aura of the islands to "Northern Exposure," and described Hawaii as a "fountain of youth." She clearly was affected by her time in the islands, which isn't surprising. One thing that did surprise me a little, though, was Leno's comment that the surf flick is getting pretty good reviews.

"I expected another mindless surfing movie," Ebert said. "Blue Crush is anything but."

The true surfer community is already snickering about this film, of course, but otherwise the gist of many reviews is that the film you get isn't the film you're expecting (a "a boobs-and-surfboards movie" as Rolling Stone put it).

I have to admit, I was dreading Blue Crush the same way I was dreading Lilo & Stitch as far as how our islands are portrayed. Though I doubt I'm actually going to get to see this film in the theaters, it looks like there might be a slim chance I'd actually be pleasantly surprised.

First, it's based on a on a real article by Susan Orlean published in the beloved Outside magazine (awesome, they've got it online!). Second, "real life" is captured insofar as the surfing girls actually have to work for a living (as hotel maids, natch). Surf culture seems to get more than the standard, shallow Hollywood treatment (although again, even the fact that the film portrays women in the Pipeline contest is pissing some surfers off), and it seems island life is done some justice as well. And, most striking to reviewers it seems, the surf photography is spectacular.

The magic, wonder and beauty of Hawaii, as well as some of the harsh realities, depicted on the big screen in a generally tasteful way twice in one year? Hard to believe. But if it's true, I'm glad for it.

Anyone seeing/see it? It opens nationwide tomorrow.

Comments

I'm having mixed feelings about watching this because I wrote the press release (incidentally, for one of the supporting actors of the movie) that got the movie (then called Surf Girls) front-page coverage on the Star-Bulletin. Knowing that I've been one of the folks who helped to get the word out, so to speak, for this gives me a sense of achievement - and at the same time breaks my heart, considering everything that has happened with me and my job since (and especially since I'm now moving back to the publishing arm of the firm while the PR dep't is getting scaled down). Sigh.

Besides, I'm going out to see Lagaan: Once Upon A Time In India this weekend anyway.

I saw it with my honey a couple of night ago, ...well, the scenery is nice. :)

Sure wish the script was a little better... the ending left everyone in the theatre kinda... huh? Is that it?

Anyway, it's pretty dumb in most spots, but it is a surfer-girl movie, so if you're going to see it, enjoy it for what it is. Great shots of the surf!

We're thinking of visiting Hawaii sometime soon, so that was also a reason we went, to take a peak at the surroundings. :)

Michelle Rodriguez was good I thought, wish there was more of her character though... she drove a mean jetski :)

Anyone else see it? I'm very curious about a local's take.

A couple of articles:

• Ocean, North Shore lifestyle stars of 'Blue Crush'
• Forget the love story: 'Blue Crush' is surfing tale with heart

There was very little pidgin which is both a good thing and a bad thing. Michelle R. said "no worries" at one point though and it just sounded so wrong.

They made the local surfer dudes look territorial, stupid, and angry which is probably both a... Nevermind. What was authentic was the obsession with reggae. I think I heard "And Be Loved" in the background of one scene.

But they made the Ihilani look really nice. If that indeed is what an Ihilani suite looks like. I wouldn't know because I have yet to save enough pennies to stay in one.

Greg Milner weighs in on Blue Crush on Slate.com.

The real problem with most portrayals of Hawaii isn't that they portray a paradise that doesn't exist — it's that they don't consider that paradise does exist as a condition maintained by residents out of necessity. Hawaii is a factory town where the local industry is the people themselves. The choice Blue Crush offers Anne Marie isn't whether to sell herself out, it's how.

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