True Spirit - Netflix Movie Review

"True Spirit" - An Inspirational Adventure of a Brave Sailor

"True Spirit" is a breathtaking adventure based on the true story of an Australian sailor, Jessica Watson. She embarked on a quest to circumnavigate the globe by herself, and in 2009, at the young age of 16, she achieved this incredible feat. Her story is one of determination, courage, and the power of believing in oneself.

Jessica Watson's inspiration for this adventure came from another record-breaker, German sailor Jesse Martin. Jesse had completed the same journey ten years earlier, at the age of 18.

Watson used Martin's memoir and course as partial inspiration, with support from her family and manager, and after many years of training and experience on the water. Despite facing criticism from the media and government officials for being irresponsible, Jessica Watson persisted and sailed around the world, surviving multiple storms and a long period of windless stasis.

She was recognized with multiple citations and medals and became an emblem of the can-do spirit, particularly for girls and young women who love sailing but felt excluded from it by sexism.

The film "True Spirit," directed by Sarah Spillane, starring Teagan Croft of DC's "Titans," and co-written by Spillane and Cathy Randall, is a thrilling and inspiring cinematic experience.

The film perfectly captures the spirit of adventure and perseverance that drove Jessica Watson to set sail on her epic journey. The sailing sequences, a mix of location footage and green screen bits, are stirring, sometimes breathtaking, and occasionally storybook-poetic.

While the film's screenplay's structure tends to impede dramatic momentum by regularly cutting back to key moments in Watson's childhood just when the present-tense action is building up a fine head of steam, it does not miss the mark when it comes to depicting Watson's story.

In real life, as noted in Watson's memoir, her dad vigorously opposed her taking the trip, but the film makes it seem as if he had only a moment's hesitation. Additionally, the "coach" character, Ben Watson, played by Cliff Curtis, is a fictionalized version of Watson's real mentor and project manager, Bruce Arms.

Nevertheless, these compressions, deletions, and inventions in dramas based on life work mostly in its favor, even if there are times when one might wish they'd leaned into the "fable" aspect a bit harder (what an animated film this might have made!).

The film also highlights the sexism Watson faced from records-certifiers who came up with all sorts of reasons to deny her right to claim a world's record afterward.

However, the movie fails to examine this ingrained sexism in depth, which is an important issue to address. Her story can inspire people to challenge gender barriers and make their dreams come true.

Despite the film's focus on vindicating Watson and her family and coach, and making anyone who raised objections to the trip seem like killjoy ninnies and usurpers of free will, it still manages to convey an essential message of determination, self-belief, and the power of perseverance. Watson's journey is a testament to the human spirit's resilience and an example of what one can achieve with hard work and commitment.

"True Spirit" could seem like a can't-miss subject for a crowd-pleasing film, and the movie does not disappoint. It's a must-watch for anyone who loves stories of adventure and courage. The movie's breathtaking visuals, combined with the inspiring story of Jessica Watson, make it a mind-blowing experience.

The film is also a tribute to the ocean and the beauty and danger it holds. As Jessica Watson sailed around the world, she experienced the vastness and wonder of the Another aspect of Watson's story that is glossed over in the film is the ingrained sexism that she faced from records-certifiers who came up with all sorts of reasons to deny her right to claim a world's record afterward.

This was a significant issue that Watson had to overcome, and it would have been interesting to explore this aspect in more detail.

Despite these shortcomings, "True Spirit" remains an inspiring and entertaining film that is well worth watching. Teagan Croft delivers an impressive performance as Jessica Watson, capturing the spirit and determination that enabled her to accomplish such a remarkable feat.

The sailing sequences are also a highlight of the film, providing a visceral sense of the challenges and dangers that Watson faced during her journey.

In conclusion, "True Spirit" is a powerful and uplifting story about one young woman's incredible journey around the world, and the obstacles that she had to overcome to achieve her dream.

While the film has its flaws, it still manages to capture the essence of Jessica Watson's story and inspire viewers to pursue their own dreams and aspirations, no matter how daunting they may seem.