IN GOD'S HANDS

Aspect ratio: 2.39:1

Sound formats: Dolby Digital / SDDS

Three world-class surfers (played by real-life surfing champions Patrick Shane Dorian, Matt George and Matty Liu) travel to various far-flung corners of the globe in search of the 'ultimate wave', a spiritual adventure which ends in tragedy and redemption...

Best known for a series of po-faced softcore dramas (TWO-MOON JUNCTION, DELTA OF VENUS),director Zalman King here employs his unique, fractured film-making style to explore the spiritual dimension which underpins the sport of surfing. Anchored from the outset by Dorian's quiet dignity (his meditative non-performance allows the viewer to luxuriate in his exquisite beauty),the film is ignited by a succession of extraordinary sounds and images, culminating in spectacular - and often terrifying - surfing sequences. Non-surfers may wonder what all the fuss is about, though everyone else will be captivated by King's obvious reverence for the subject, and by the sheer physical beauty of the production. An ode to the wonders of Nature, and the silent calling which draws surfers to challenge its fury on some of the most awe-inspiring waves in the world.

Although the acting may be lacking, the cinematography and actual surfing is fabulous. Realize when watching this almost documentary that despite the fact that their not playing themselves, each character is playing themselves. The characters of Shane, Mickey, Keoni, and all the other surfers are either using variations of their real names or their real names in this film. They are all the real thing, you can't get any better than them. The story is simple, get to the big waves and surf them while making a family or "tribe" as they are and learning about yourself. I own this movie and watch it whenever i need a reality check about hard things in this world. On top of everything it is the best surf movie because they are really surfing, no stunt doubles, no slight of hand camera shots, Patrick Shane and Matt are really surfing!!!!! It is a movie about surfing not about famous actors or a deep story line--JUST SURFING!!!!

Firstly a word about this IMDb voting business. I'm a film buff, I can and generally do find enjoyment in most films, and this is a good example. If I were voting for the screenplay, direction, acting, it would get a 3. Technically a 6, yet for the cinematography a 10. I'm not fence sitting here, as a film is generally a team effort, utilising the skills of many, and to succeed the director/producers have to pull it all together, and pull up those lagging behind, not let them pull you under. Sadly the latter appears to be the case with "In God's Hands", hence the fact I find it hard to give a single vote, due to this disparity of skill, But all will become clear, as you read on,

Well although it's a few years old now, "In God's Hands" deserves some comment I feel. I've had it on DVD a few years, and only just got around to watching it a second time, (thanks to the random button on my DVD archive),as I probably would not have bothered otherwise.

But having got through it, it does have some redeeming qualities, and a few mind blowing ones, hence this additional comment for IMDb.

It is one of those films that could have been so much better, if only they had stuck to a core story line. Great surfing, huge waves, awesome locations, and some of the best cinematography you will EVER see, (but more on that shortly).

Where it all goes horribly wrong, is the fact these amazing surfers, some of the best in the world, are simply NOT actors. They are not aided by the fact much of the dialogue scripted them, is hammy beyond belief, the result of which nearly sinks this film.

Had the makers actually committed to making a surf movie, scrapped all the sub plot, and story lines used, it would have made a far better movie.

Actually the scenes with Brion James, show up the leads lack of acting ability, which isn't really fair on them, they are world class surfers after all, not actors. But it is a good example of just how a skilled actor, much like good special effects are transparent, You accept the performance without a second thought. The reverse is not true, and poor performances/acting ability, delivery, timing etc, tend to stand out during much of the surfers dialogue scenes. Maylin Pultar is worth a mention here, Parisian multi talented, multi artiste, really smolders in some scenes, and knows how to pull it off too, much of the time without a word uttered, (take note lads, this is how you should have handled your dialogue as well).

So back to the movie, and this is the sad bit really, this has to be one of the prettiest films of the last 20 years. John Aronson is without question a master behind the camera, knowing when to lock off, and not move the camera, to maximise the impact of some JUST PERFECT composition. When it's all out there, right in front of the lens, having the maturity to lock off, and just roll. GREAT, so seldom done these days, it is like a breath of fresh sea air. Such a shame, the writers were not as skilled.

The shots filmed from right there in the surf are great too, god knows how they did that safely?

The soundtrack is worth a mention here, as it is pretty good too actually, the big waves need some big subs though, but those frequencies go way, WAY down, so caution to those with unbalanced sound systems, and a preference to high volumes.

So what does all this leave us with? Well a mixed bag I'm afraid.

If you're a script writer, this is how NOT to do it. If you are a stills photographer, and/or have an appreciation for the golden rules, section, ratio, mean, light, shade and shadows, you will love this film, drop the audio out, cue up a Café del Mar CD, sit back and enjoy. If you're a budding cameraman, this is how it's done, make no mistake, old school rules or not, I can't think of more extreme shots, from locked off to in the surf! And if you are into surfing, you can't go wrong with this one, the surf scenes are simply great.

So it is what it is, (pity they didn't just let it be).