MovieChat Forums > Soul Surfer (2011) Discussion > Carrie Underwood is not an actress

Carrie Underwood is not an actress

posted 11 years ago by garreed22
14 replies | jump to latest

Carrie Underwood is not an actress. Carrie Underwood is a singer. And I think it should stay that way. Forever.

I really like Carrie Underwood; I think she has a great voice, I think she's very talented, and I think she is very pretty. I've enjoyed following her career since American Idol.

But it really bothers me when directors/producers/studios push to get big names rather than big talent in their movie. Carrie Underwood's character in this movie really wasn't that special-- any tan and pretty blonde could have played that role and the movie wouldn't have been any different (other than it wouldn't have had some terrible acting from Ms Underwood in it). I don't understand this. Carrie Underwood is a SINGER.

That scene where she 'cries' because she doesn't know why bad things happen to people..... I still shudder when I think of it. I didn't hate the movie, I thought it was a wholesome family film and though it doesn't really run in my taste for film, I thought overall it was an okay movie. But Carrie Underwood.... Carrie, Carrie, Carrie.... the only camera she belongs in front of is for her music videos.

I like you, Carrie, but I think you should stick to singing and leave the acting for the actors. Please and thank you.

[–] tbirdman-1 11 years ago

I could not agree more and when I first recognized Carrie Underwood in
this movie I thought, WTF is she doing here!? You're right in your
comments about how directors/producers/studio execs really ought to
focus on casting TALENTED ACTORS in movie roles instead of singers
who have no acting experience. Perhaps Ms. Underwood's agent may
have had a connection either with somebody involved with the film's
production or knew someone at the studio therefore the agent was
able to get her the role of the pastor. And like you've stated as
to how any tan and pretty blonde could have easily played that
role in Soul Surfer. Well there are so many actresses in Hollywood
who fit that description! Very good post and I'm the first one to
reply to you.

Lorenzo Sunny Arizona

Call me a sailor or a swabby just don't call me a squid!

[–] TheChamCham 10 years ago

They only had an 18 million dollar budget. They couldn't afford any talented actors. I loved Because of Winn-Dixie and wanted to see AnnaSophia Robb in a more recent role.I think she is a very natural young actress who will only improve with age.The rest of the cast made me cringe.

"I say,open this door at once! We're British !"

[–] tbirdman-1 10 years ago

Okay now I see as to why Carrie Underwood was cast as the preacher.
And never knew about the $18 million dollar budget until now so
no wonder that talented and experienced actors were not affordable.
I did not care for Helen Hunt as the mom and found her to be
miscast though Dennis Quaid was fine as the dad.

Lorenzo Sunny Arizona

Call me a sailor or a swabby just don't call me a squid!

[–] rosek102 10 years ago

I'm surprised people are slamming Carrie's performance as much as they are. She's no Meryl Streep, but come on, I've seen WAY worse. May I use Kristen Stewart as just one example? (And bear in mind that Stewart is the leading lady in many of her roles.)

In this movie, I felt like Carrie was at least able to deliver a line and show an appropriate amount of emotion. She didn't seem awkward or fake to me in the crying scene with Bethany--in fact, if anything, AnnaSophia seemed a little flat when she broke down in tears, and she's a pretty good actress overall.

In my opinion, this was a good movie for Carrie to take on as her first film role. It was a small part as a character who generally seems to fit her sweet, faith-centered personality in real life.

[–] tbirdman-1 10 years ago

In all fairness to Carrie Underwood I really was not slamming her
performance in the movie. Just wondered as to why the producers
did not cast either a local from Hawaii or an actress from
Hollywood in her role. Yes she did fine for her acting debut
and obviously the $18 million dollar budget did place a limit
on casting an experienced actress. I happened to love her
music and was so surprised to see her in Soul Surfer.

Lorenzo Sunny Arizona

Call me a sailor or a swabby just don't call me a squid!

[–] rosek102 10 years ago

I think they just wanted to bring some bigger names into the cast. Anytime filmmakers can do that, it's to their advantage. They got lucky getting Dennis Quaid and Helen Hunt...and Carrie was probably a no brainer because her religious values align with the movie and it's message.

[–] pkryder-1 9 years ago

NOT "$18 million dollar". Either "$18 million" OR "18 million dollar". To put BOTH the dollar sign and the word "dollar" is redundant.

[–] groovyroom 9 years ago

Couldn't afford any talented actors for 18 million? Um... Helen Hunt has an Oscar under her belt. I'd say that proves some talent. :) And believe me, there are thousands of very talented actors in LA and NY who could have played this role for low cost and brilliantly. 18 million is a nice size budget.

[–] TheChamCham 9 years ago

"As Good as it Gets" was a long time ago. As with most Oscar winners she failed to follow it up with anything better and then took a long hiatus to be married and raise her child. In the meantime Hollywood forgot about her which also happens.

I was a fan of "Mad About You" and respect the work as an actress, writer and director that Helen Hunt did there. She deserves credit for one of the best series finales ever, but watching her in this film just made me sad. As for the thousands who could have played the role ( I am assuming you mean the one played by Carrie Underwood), they should have cast one of the thousands. Anyone would have been better. An open casting call in Hawaii would probably have found someone.

"I say,open this door at once! We're British !"

[–] milo44 10 years ago

She did a great job ... For goodness sakes it's not rocket science .. And I'm not even a fan of hers .

I'd like a chance t' shoot at an educated man once in my life .

[–] 10 years ago

[deleted]

[–] arkast 9 years ago

Putting aside tha she didn't show any emotion whatsoever, yeah she did

[–] spookyrat1 9 years ago

In very much a support role she did fine.

As for the claims above that Dennis Quaid and Helen Hunt are not credible in their roles or somehow not experienced enough ... LOL ... simply bizarre. They really looked the part of surfing parents and were convincing in the water too.🐭

[–] DebLovesBeccy 8 years ago

This is an old post so I am not sure if you have seen Carrie in the remake of The Sound of Music since then (which I thought wasn't that bad) but I think Carrie should mostly stay with music too and not move to acting 'cause she is too talented as a singer to waste it and move to acting like some others singers have but I can see why the producers chose to cast her in this role.

Carrie is very popular. She is the biggest star to come from American Idol and the biggest Country Music singer of the past decade. A lot of Carrie's fans went to see this movie not knowing anything about Bethany Hamilton just to see her act in a movie and I think you are not seeing the draw she is.

_____________________________

It don't matter if it's raining
Nothing can phase me
I make my own sunshine
And if you think you can break me
Baby, you're crazy
I make my own sunshine