I already love ‘Soul Surfer’ because 1) it’s a real-life story that’s inspirational and heartwarming; and 2) it’s got AnnaSophia Robb in it.
I interviewed her back in 2007 when ‘Bridge to Terabithia’ came out, and ever since that story appeared on my Web site, I get probably two or three comments and emails a week from her fans. She has THE most dedicated fans on the planet — and a lot of them live in India. Try and figure that one out.
In ‘Soul Surfer,’ Robb plays the real-life Bethany Hamilton, the teenage surfer who made headlines after a shark took her arm off. This movie is based on the book ‘[amazon_link id=”1439165793″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Soul Surfer,[/amazon_link]’ written by Hamilton.
I know it’ll be a traumatic movie in some ways, because the shark attack is going to make me never want to go in the water again — even though I swim in Lake Michigan where you probably won’t find any sharks (and if so, please don’t tell me – yes, I know about fresh water sharks). It’s been 35 years since I first saw ‘[amazon_link id=”B0008KLVG4″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Jaws[/amazon_link],’ and I still get edgy in the water. Talk about a movie that sticks with you.
What I love about ‘Soul Surfer’ is that Hamilton is ready to throw in the towel until she starts receiving tons of mail from kids all over the country. And then she realizes this is her chance to make a difference — a real difference in the lives of kids who need her strength and drive. The director is Sean McNamara, who helmed ‘[amazon_link id=”B0006SSMWE” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Raise Your Voice[/amazon_link],’ and also stars Helen Hunt and Dennis Quaid as her parents, and Carrie Underwood as her youth group leader.
‘Soul Surfer’ arrives in theaters this Friday, April 8, 2011. It’s rated PG for an intense accident sequence and some thematic material. Check out the trailer and see what you think. And the next time you feel discouraged, think of Hamilton’s words: “I don’t need easy. I just need possible.”
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