True Spirit - A Movie Review

"True Spirit" is a truly inspiring adventure that chronicles the journey of Australian sailor Jessica Watson, who in 2009, at the tender age of 16, became the youngest sailor to sail solo around the world. Her journey was inspired by the record-breaking journey of German sailor Jesse Martin, who completed the same feat ten years earlier, when he was two years older than Watson. Her determination and passion for sailing, combined with the support of her family and manager, led her to take on this incredible challenge after years of training and experience on the water.

Despite her impressive accomplishment, Watson faced criticism from the media and government officials who accused her family of being irresponsible for allowing her to undertake such a risky journey. Some even doubted Watson's maturity and responsibility, especially after she collided with a bulk carrier during a test run from Sydney to Brisbane and was found to have been asleep at the time. However, Watson persevered, enduring multiple storms and a long period of windless stasis. Her achievements earned her numerous accolades and medals, making her a symbol of the can-do spirit, especially for young girls and women interested in sailing but facing exclusion due to gender biases.

The incredible story of Jessica Watson would make a great subject for a crowd-pleasing film, and "True Spirit," starring Teagan Croft of DC's "Titans," directed by Sarah Spillane and co-written by her and Cathy Randall, does not disappoint. While the screenplay's structure tends to interrupt the dramatic momentum by regularly cutting back to key moments in Watson's childhood, just as the action is building, the sailing sequences, a mix of location footage and green screen effects, are stirring and breathtaking, with occasionally storybook-poetic scenes, such as a nighttime shot of Watson's boat, Ella's Pink Lady, floating in a sea of stars.

While Watson's memoir notes her father's strong opposition to her journey, the film portrays him as having only a moment's hesitation. The character of Ben Watson, played by Cliff Curtis, is a fictionalized version of Watson's real mentor and project manager, Bruce Arms, and is given a tragic backstory that seems mainly there to give the heroine something to cruelly use against him at a moment when they're both stressed out. Nevertheless, the leanness of the film's approach works well, even if there are times when one might wish they'd leaned into the "fable" aspect a bit harder.

However, there's something a bit anodyne and "off" about this production. It's so perky and clean-scrubbed that it feels like a Disney Channel version of a wilderness survival tale, suitable for young children who can't handle too many complexities or contradictions. Parents who believe that the highest function of popular culture is to show families as harmonious institutions, and outsiders as interfering know-nothings, would likely appreciate the film. At the same time, the film is so single-mindedly focused 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, that there are moments when it seems like the movie equivalent of a sore winner.

Media naysayers are incarnated by a composite character TV reporter, played by actor Todd Lasance—a showboater with a punchable smirk who has been given the name "Atherton," presumably an homage to the narcissist portrayed by actor William Atherton in "Die Hard." Of course Atherton, too, eventually comes around and cheers for Watson. Meanwhile, Watson's blog as framed within the movie seems like more of an illustration of how to bypass the media and get one's "message" out than an autobiographical treasure trove documenting Watson's incredible journey. Additionally, the ingrained sexism that Watson.

Despite its flaws, "True Spirit" is an entertaining and inspiring film that celebrates the human spirit and the power of determination. At its core, the film is about following your dreams and never giving up, no matter how daunting the challenges may seem.

Jessica Watson's story is a testament to this message. Her journey around the world is an incredible feat that required immense courage, skill, and perseverance. The film does a good job of capturing the awe-inspiring nature of her voyage, as well as the many obstacles she had to overcome along the way.

One of the film's strengths is its portrayal of Watson as a relatable and likable protagonist. Teagan Croft delivers a solid performance as Watson, bringing a sense of vulnerability and determination to the role. The film also does a good job of showcasing the support system that Watson had in her family and coach, and how they helped her to achieve her dream.

At the same time, the film could have gone further in exploring the complexities of Watson's journey. For example, the film touches on the criticism that Watson faced from the media and government officials, but doesn't delve into the reasons behind their objections. Similarly, while the film celebrates Watson as a role model for girls and young women, it doesn't examine the gender barriers that she had to overcome to achieve her goal.

Overall, "True Spirit" is a well-crafted and inspiring film that is sure to appeal to fans of adventure stories and underdog triumphs. While it may not offer the most nuanced portrayal of its subject matter, it succeeds in capturing the essence of Jessica Watson's remarkable journey and the lessons that can be learned from it.