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Before the semester starts, Angelo wants to
visit his father in California; and after arriving, is immediately drawn to
surfing, so much so, he makes plans to extend his visit. Jackie is none too pleased, and
eventually follows him to Los Angeles in hopes of bringing him back for
school. What she encounters there
will be a total surprise to her—and to her son.
I was immediately struck by Hunt’s decision to
draw a distinct contrast between New York and Los Angeles. The woman in New York is driven, seems
to eschew sports, and thinks nothing about correcting others’ grammar. Her son—who calls her ‘Jackie’—makes
comments about her not wanting to get her hair wet and never taking off her
shoes. She tries to hold onto that
life, but California seduces her just as it does Angelo. I see that Hunt was born in California
and lives there now, but has spent enough time in New York to have an opinion
about it. Some of the funnier
parts of Ride are when she seems to
be spoofing New Yorkers and their lifestyle.
Hunt has won and been nominated for numerous
awards—including an Oscar—during her career as an actress. Ride
is her second movie to write, direct, and star in, although she has also
directed episodes on television.
One of her strengths does seem to be that she can mix comedy with
insightful portrayals of mostly believable characters; although here, I think
she is a bit heavy-handed in emotional scenes, where subtlety and suggestion
might be a better way to go. She
accomplishes that in her contrast between the two cities and in a significant
revelation toward the end of the film, but emotional interchanges between
characters punches a bit too hard.
Hunt deserves all the awards and nominations
she has received through the years, and is just as effective when she directs
herself. Thwaites and Wilson (who
plays love interest and surfing coach Ian) step up to the plate in matches with
her. Mother-son interactions are
filled with tension—which the viewer will experience as well—but the latter
part of the film provides some humor and lightness, especially when Jackie and
Ian begin their friendship.
A
comedy with emotional punches.
Grade: C+ By Donna R. Copeland
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