CHASING MAVERICKS (2012) - Movie Review

Director: Michael Apted, Curtis Hanson
Starring: Jonny Weston, Gerard Butler, Elisabeth Shue, Abigail Spencer, Leven Rambin
Genre: Biography, Drama, Sport
Writer: Kario Salem
Runtime: 116 min
Rated: Rated PG for thematic elements and some perilous action
Buy This Movie: Blu-ray (Amazon), DVD (Amazon), Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV

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Synopsis:

When 15-year-old surfing phenomenon Jay Moriarty (Jonny Weston) discovers that the mythic Mavericks surf break, one of the biggest waves on Earth, actually exists near his California home, he becomes determined to conquer it. Jay enlists the aid of local surfing legend Frosty Hesson (Gerard Butler) to train him to ride the Mavericks and live to tell about it. As Jay and Frosty carry on their quest to achieve the impossible, they develop a unique friendship that transforms both their lives.

Review:

The surfer biopic "Chasing Mavericks" is the last film directed by L.A. Confidential" and "8 Mile" filmmaker Curtis Hanson before his death in 2016. Michael Apted ("Gorillas in the Mist", "Amazing Grace") was brought in to finish the last 15 days of filming, while Hanson was recovering from heart surgery.

Based on a true story and set in the 1980s, the film's plot revolves around surfer Frosty Hesson (Gerard Butler) taking young Jay Moriarity (Jonny Weston) under his wing and teaching him the art of surfing the deadly waves of Mavericks, California. In the process Frosty becomes a surrogate father figure to Jay, while the 15-year-old boy struggles to navigate the difficulties of growing up.

Both the coming-of-age and sports angles of the story deliver familiar plot beats and the occasional cliche, but it actually feels more sincere than manipulative, and it's elevated by two strong central performances. Weston, although inexperienced as a relative newcomer, perfectly embodies the good-natured soul surfer with winning charm, while Butler brings his usual gruff charisma to the screen and even a bit of vulnerability that adds nuance to his character. We also get strong supporting turns from Abigail Spencer as Frosty's unusually supportive wife and Elisabeth Shue as Jay's alcoholic mother.

While the writing might not be groundbreaking, the surfing scenes are a visual feast, particularly during the climactic finale. There's some jaw-dropping cinematography and camerawork in this movie, which really makes it worth watching for fans of water sports.

"Chasing Mavericks" is mostly a standard-fare biographical and sports drama, but it's still solid entertainment, and it has its fair share of inspirational and heartfelt moments that will for sure tug on your heart strings. If you haven't seen it before, it's not a bad way to spend 110 minutes of your life.

SCORE: 7/10