Universal's 'Blue Crush' Hardly a Wipe-Out
Nevertheless, with producer Brian Grazer ("A Beautiful Mind") saying he made "Blue Crush" to empower young women, one has to wonder how hurried Universal was to get the film out in theaters with several other female surfing flicks in the works-- including one at Paramount that's rumored to star "Party of Five"'s Jennifer Love Hewitt. After all, Anne Marie's story is far from being one parents would want their daughters to model their lives after-- she's a drop out, she's barely making enough money to eat not along help raise her younger, live-in sister (Mika Boorem), she frequently blows off work to surf and she jumps into bed with some random guy she's giving surfing lessons to after only knowing him for 48 hours. The script definitely should have been tweaked a bit if Grazer wanted this to be a positive look at Anne Marie's life since even the cliched happy ending (or at least cliched optimistic ending) doesn't change the fact Anne Marie's not exactly role model material.
Thin script aside, "Blue Crush" marks an impressive acting debut for Kate Bosworth, who up until now has simply been referred to as "the girl from "The Horse Whisperer." Bosworth proves she is worthy of the lead role in "Blue Crush" with her engaging and athletic performance as Anne Marie, and shows that there's more to her than just the gorgeous body that's been plastered on billboards since late June. "Blue Crush" should do for her what Universal's "The Fast and the Furious" did for her fellow co-star Rodriguez last summer, and audiences shouldn't be too surprised if she quickly becomes one of Hollywood's newest "It" girls.
Unfortunately, "Blue Crush" doesn't so the same for Rodriguez, who-- although gives a fine performance in the film-- isn't given the softer, more gentle role she so desperately needs to break away from the tough girl roles she's been pigeonholed in since "Girlfight." One can only continue to wait for the film that will let Rodriguez demonstrate her natural acting ability outside of scowl and be angry since all "Blue Crush" accomplishes is letting audiences see her in more skimpy (and wet) apparel.
Overall, "Blue Crush" is the perfect film to end the summer with. Even though it has its share of wipeouts, the movie also has a lot of action, romance and humor to entertain its target demographic, and provides just the right amount
Latest Articles