The inspiring story of Bethany Hamilton, a young champion surfer who lost her arm in a shark attack, has hit the big screen. The biographical movie, ‘Soul Surfer’, is based on the true story of Bethany Hamilton, was released on April 8 in 2011, starring Anna Sophia Robb, Helen Hunt, Dennis Quaid and Carrie Underwood. Director Sean McNamara explains that ‘Soul Surfer’ is all about "the feisty unwavering attitude of a girl who never stopped believing in herself, her family or in the sheer beauty and thrill of being alive." Although the film was based on her real life events, many viewers can’t help but wonder what is really fact or how much is just… Hollywood?
Actors, as active participants in a movie, aim to inhabit their character and adopt …show more content…
Hollywood typically needs a protagonist and an antagonist in order to successfully prove that the story is true, and to create a meaningful story. As a result, two stereotypical Hollywood characters, the villain and love interest were added often to lift characters, events and triumphs. Firstly, Malina Birch was added as villain when Bethany re-enters the surfing competition, telling her not to go easy on her as she rejects a five-minute head start offered by the judges. Secondly, Taoki, the love interest of the main protagonist, to create hope that Bethany could also live happily ever after. Nevertheless, Bethany Hamilton explained that, “even if there is some fiction in there, my family and I approved of it and we worked with the writers and directors to come up with something that moves the story as long as it doesn’t water things down.” Overall, the addition of the fictional characters did not jeopardise Bethany’s real life story as a character who is driven to pursue her goal as the true …show more content…
For instance, Bethany grew up near the North Shore of Kauai, Hawaii, and started surfing at the age of four and competing at the age of eight. Also, Bethany has won the Hawaii Ezekiel Surf Into Summer Event, with her friend Alana placed third. As depicted in the film, the Rip Curl then offered a sponsorship for both girls, which they joyfully accepted. Alana and Bethany also snuck off the night before Halloween with some friends to go night surfing at Tunnels Beach. Although Bethany’s biography reveals there weren’t any fireworks, the girls were the last two to return back to shore. Most importantly, ‘Soul Surfer’ accurately portrayed Bethany playing with her left arm in the ocean when a tiger shark appeared out of nowhere and sunk its teeth into Bethany, biting her arm off near the shoulder. Similarly, Byron did break the car window to access a mobile phone and called 911, while Holt used his surfboard as a stretcher to get Bethany out of the water. Holt also used his rashie and ankle strap to slow down the bleeding, while Alana threw up on the beach in shock. The movie also truthfully depicts Bethany’s father’s reaction, when the doctor broke the news that Bethany was attacked by the shark, while he was prepared for knee
Actors, as active participants in a movie, aim to inhabit their character and adopt …show more content…
Hollywood typically needs a protagonist and an antagonist in order to successfully prove that the story is true, and to create a meaningful story. As a result, two stereotypical Hollywood characters, the villain and love interest were added often to lift characters, events and triumphs. Firstly, Malina Birch was added as villain when Bethany re-enters the surfing competition, telling her not to go easy on her as she rejects a five-minute head start offered by the judges. Secondly, Taoki, the love interest of the main protagonist, to create hope that Bethany could also live happily ever after. Nevertheless, Bethany Hamilton explained that, “even if there is some fiction in there, my family and I approved of it and we worked with the writers and directors to come up with something that moves the story as long as it doesn’t water things down.” Overall, the addition of the fictional characters did not jeopardise Bethany’s real life story as a character who is driven to pursue her goal as the true …show more content…
For instance, Bethany grew up near the North Shore of Kauai, Hawaii, and started surfing at the age of four and competing at the age of eight. Also, Bethany has won the Hawaii Ezekiel Surf Into Summer Event, with her friend Alana placed third. As depicted in the film, the Rip Curl then offered a sponsorship for both girls, which they joyfully accepted. Alana and Bethany also snuck off the night before Halloween with some friends to go night surfing at Tunnels Beach. Although Bethany’s biography reveals there weren’t any fireworks, the girls were the last two to return back to shore. Most importantly, ‘Soul Surfer’ accurately portrayed Bethany playing with her left arm in the ocean when a tiger shark appeared out of nowhere and sunk its teeth into Bethany, biting her arm off near the shoulder. Similarly, Byron did break the car window to access a mobile phone and called 911, while Holt used his surfboard as a stretcher to get Bethany out of the water. Holt also used his rashie and ankle strap to slow down the bleeding, while Alana threw up on the beach in shock. The movie also truthfully depicts Bethany’s father’s reaction, when the doctor broke the news that Bethany was attacked by the shark, while he was prepared for knee