Or at least a more interesting ending - Mr. Kilua, back from Bora Bora to catch the annual Waimea, upon seeing his staunch New England Yankee Work Ethic wife who he abandoned, realizes watching her cheer the surfers on that he loves her and working the farm more than surfing and returns to her. She sees him as a spectator (or news commentator!); their eyes lock; and suddenly, it's not just about YOUNG love...
And if that doesn't work for you, then they could've made a sequel.
But yeah, they could've brought Mr. Kilua back, and it only needed to make the movie about four minutes longer, even with set-up earlier in the film.
I disagree with you, but I'm pretty sure you're not Hitler.
- Jon Stewart
Nah, glad they kept Mr. Kilua in Bora Bora, he was just a plot device to temporarily throw a wrench in the kids romance. Once the mom saw that Tab Hunter's Steamer Lane was a solid, middle-class choice for her daughter, Mr. Kilua wasn't needed any more. I liked the bit where Steamer pulls out all his credentials, not much chance he was going to be a surf bum selling weed to pay the rent.
shareIt works both ways. He was important as part of the back-story, but didn't have to be there during the movie. What was important was when Stern Wife had to face up to the fact that it wasn't surfing that pulled her husband away, it was she who pushed him away. Surfing? It could have been hang gliding or woodworking, hot rods or tree surgery; he'd've still had to leave her eventually.
I disagree with you, but I'm pretty sure you're not Hitler.
- Jon Stewart
What was important was when Stern Wife had to face up to the fact that it wasn't surfing that pulled her husband away, it was she who pushed him away