Movie Review: Chasing Mavericks

Chasing Mavericks
Courtesy of 20th Century Fox

Courtesy of 20th Century Fox

Frosty and Jay
Courtesy of 20th Century Fox

Surfing a Wave
Courtesy of 20th Century Fox

Not Your Average Teen

Jay Moriarity (Jonny Weston) is not your average 15-year-old. With his dad away in the military and his mom mentally absent from his life, he has become wise beyond his years. He takes on the role of parent when his mom isn't doing her job, he deals with bullies on a daily basis and yet he thrives. He views the world through positive eyes, never giving up or losing hope. He works hard, stays true to himself and never succumbs to peer pressure.

A Passion for Surfing

As a kid, Jay was fascinated by the tides. But his life changed when he fell in the waves and nearly died. Fortunately, his neighbor Frosy Hesson (Gerard Butler) was there to pull him onto his surfboard and bring him to shore. That day, Jay fell in love with surfing. At age 15, he is better than most kids his age. But the small waves at his local shore just aren't cutting it anymore. He dreams of something bigger - the legendary Mavericks, where waves reach as high as multiple storey buildings. 

The Mavericks

When Jay sees his neighbor leaving his house in the early hours of the morning, he becomes curious. He hitches a ride on the back of Frosty's van and finds himself delivered to a private shore where he discovers that the legendary waves do exist. He begs Frosty to let him surf them. Reluctantly, Frosty agrees, provided that Jay completes weeks of rigorous training. Over the course of the weeks, Jay is forced to conquer his deepest personal fears before tackling the most daunting waves of his life.

The Bottom Line

Chasing Mavericks is a based on a true story about a young surfing legend who conquered the Mavericks. This is a truly inspirational film, even for those who have never surfed. It shows how a good heart and pure determination can help you achieve your dreams. After conquering the Mavericks at age 16, Jay went on to have a successful surfing career until the day before his 23rd birthday when he drowned in a free diving accident.

Chasing Mavericks:

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