Parents' Guide to

Blue Crush

By Nell Minow, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Surfer heroine story has some profanity, drinking, drugs.

Movie PG-13 2002 105 minutes
Blue Crush Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 13+

Based on 2 parent reviews

sb34chick
sb34chick Adult
November 21, 2009
age 13+

Teens Approved

The main role model in this story is a young adult, surfergirl, dropout who is struggling to raise her kid sister and instill values that she isn't exactly living out. Through this story the girls mature and grow together, building a positive relationships and overcoming fears. Questionable moments in this flick: The young sister does make some poor decisions and is found smoking and drinking and partying. The older sister and friends are housecleaning and find condums in one of the hotel rooms and quit their jobs over the issue.
jumpinbini
jumpinbini Adult
April 9, 2008
age 13+

This movie has a "You can achieve, if you just believe" (I know, corny)message to it. The main character has a handful of obstacles that she has to overcome throughout the movie in order for her to reach her goal, which is to become a professional surfer. She has real life responsibilities including taking care of her younger adolescent sister and paying the bills on time. A true story of struggle and determination. I highly recommend this movie to teens and older.
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Set in Hawaii, BLUE CRUSH centers on Anne Marie (Kate Bosworth), a tough-on-the-outside but vulnerable-on-the-inside surfer girl who has what it takes to be world-class if she can just (1) get over the fear she has had since almost drowning, (2) manage to train for her big chance while supporting herself and her younger sister, and (3) not get distracted by Prince Charming, a cute quarterback named Matt. Pals played by Michele Rodriguez and real-life surfer Sanoe Lake provide support.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2 ):
Kids say (3 ):

Blue Crush offers no special insight or freshness. But oh, the visuals! Hawaii's glorious natural resources, including many very pretty girls in tiny bikinis, are lovingly photographed. The surfing scenes are breathtaking, and the water is the most vivid and memorable character in the movie, but some may find the MTV-style camera tricks annoying.

The three actresses have a nice, easy camaraderie and it's easy to believe that they have lived together forever with a mixture of familial bickering and unquestioned loyalty and understanding. On the other hand, amid the female empowerment, there are some issues that make the characters less than ideal role models. Anne Marie accepts a lot of money ($1,000 for "surfing lessons") and expensive gifts from the quarterback, and has sex with him after knowing him for a couple of days. Still, teen surfing fans will enjoy the ride.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the obstacles Anne Marie must overcome – not just finding a way to support herself and doing all the training, but also overcoming her fears of failing and of succeeding.

  • How does the movie show the reality of a young woman trying to make a living while raising her rebellious tween sister?

  • This movie was based on a magazine article called "Surf Girls of Maui." What do you think would be the challenges in taking a magazine article about the life of a group of female surfers in Hawaii and turning that into a movie?

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