Cult-status worthy

This isn't a good movie at all in most respects. But whoever Turtle is gives a terrific comedic performance, and the actor that plays Chandler was very good too. Those two, and the beautiful landscapes make the movie. I mean, what guy doesn't want to move to Hawaii, have some hot local girl with a flower in her hair hit on him from horseback, and live with a great mentor/teacher on the beach? I think the movie works because its really a fantasy, and because Chandler and Turtle deliver. Its also the first to portray the Hui - a real group from the North Shore that protects "their" waves from outsiders. Locals really do get all the waves at peak season, unless you're big time. A little surfing trivia:

1) Mark Occilupo is one of the best surfers of all time, and is currently a mainstay in the Top 10 in the ASP Tour - Association of Surfing Professionals Tour. He played himself in the movie.

2) The guy who plays Turtle runs a surfing school out in Cali.

3) Lance Berkhart is actually Laird Hamilton, the Laird Hamilton that is the best surfer in the world right now, and maybe of all time. He's married to Gabriel Reese, and is so rich from endorsements he doesn't even have to be on the ASP Tour to make a living. He's currently the American Express poster boy. With his looks, wife, and talent, he got a pretty good hand dealt to him in life from the big guy upstairs. And he's exactly the opposite of his character in the movie. He's maybe the most cerebral, adventurous, kind, insightful, and introspective athlete in the world today. He stars in countless documentaries, and after I saw one, I became a huge fan. Pretty cool dude.