North Shore (1987) Universal/Drama RT: 96 minutes Rated PG (language) Director: William Phelps Screenplay: Tim McCanlies and William Phelps Music: Richard Stone Cinematography: Peter Smokler Release date: August 14, 1987 (US) Cast: Matt Adler, Nia Peeples, John Philbin, Gerry Lopez, Gregory Harrison, Laird Hamilton, Robbie Page, Mark Occhilupo, John Paragon, Rocky Kauanoe, Lokelani Lau, Christina Raines. Box Office: $3.8M (US)
Rating: ***
It always gives me pleasure to revisit movies I loved in my misspent youth to discover I still enjoy them. It also gives me pleasure to revisit ones I hated and discover that my opinion has changed. I did not like the surfing drama North Shore when I saw it on cable in summer ’88. It was one of four movies I missed at theaters the previous summer (the others being Million Dollar Mystery, Benji the Hunted and Who’s That Girl). I found it dull, predictable and uninvolving back then. I never even glanced at it again after that. After seeing positive mention of it on my friend Jeff’s FaceBook page, I decided to give it another whirl. This time I enjoyed the ride.
First, you have to get past the fact that the young protagonist, surfer Rick Kane (Adler, Teen Wolf), is from Arizona. Even if you’ve never looked at a map in your life, you must know there aren’t any oceans in Arizona. Rick does all his surfing in a wave tank. Why he thinks he’s ready to surf the big waves at Hawaii’s North Shore is anybody’s guess, but whatever. In any event, he’s toying with the idea of putting off art school in New York (for which he has a scholarship) to become a professional surfer. To achieve this dream, he takes off to Hawaii for the summer.
Lo and behold, Rick quickly learns he’s not as great a surfer as he thought. The ocean isn’t the same as a wave tank. On top of that, he runs afoul of “The Hui”, a gang of native surfers led by Vince (real life surfer Lopez). After one of them steals Rick’s belongings, it’s made clear he doesn’t belong there. He’s seen as a “haole” (a tourist, a mainlander) and should just go home. It’s then he meets Turtle (Philbin, Grandview USA), a sander who introduces him to his boss Chandler (Harrison, Trapper John MD), a shaper and soul surfer who takes Rick under his wing. He agrees to teach him to surf the right way in return for Rick designing a new logo for his brand.
In movies like North Shore, some things are inevitable. One, it’s all going to come down to a big contest where the hero faces the main antagonist. In this case, it’s cocky surfing champ Lance Burkhart (real life surfer Hamilton). Two, Rick will fall for a local girl and get a lot of grief for it. He likes this girl named Kiani (R&B singer Peeples). She’s kind, beautiful and totally into Rick too. The problem is Vince is her cousin and he forbids her from seeing him. Yeah, like she’s going to do that. True love always finds a way.
When it comes to great surfing movies, I’m partial to the original Point Break (also co-starring Philbin). I’ve heard others sing the praises of The Endless Summer and Big Wednesday. North Shore, which has achieved cult status since bombing in theaters in August ’87 (yet another one-week-wonder), is pretty good. It has some awesome surfing scenes. The cinematography by Peter Smokler perfectly captures the beauty, excitement and majesty of the sport. The soundtrack is pure 80s gold with tunes by Pseudo Echo (“Funky Town”), Chris Isaak (“Blue Hotel”), Lords of the New Church (“M Style”) and Peeples (“Be My Lover”). William Phelps, in his sole feature film credit, keeps it real with plenty of surf lingo and gorgeous Hawaiian locations.
The acting is better than one would expect. Adler, who does all his own surfing, is a solid leading man even if his character strains credulity. A surfer from Arizona, it still sounds weird. Peeples is a very attractive lady. Actually, she’s gorgeous. Harrison is great as a “soul surfer”, one who surfs for the pleasure of the sport rather than the glory that comes with it. He makes it clear he doesn’t like competitions because they bring out the worst in the human animal. Yet he’s right there to cheer Rick on at the big contest. I really like his character. Lopez, who also played Subotai in 1982’s Conan the Barbarian, does solid work as Vince, the foe who comes to respect Rick by movie’s end. Hamilton is okay as the main antagonist. Several other professional surfers make appearances- e.g. Mark Occhilupo, Robbie Page, Mark Foo, Derek Ho, Hans Hedemann and a few more. Fans will surely appreciate this.
Now that I think about it, I can’t think of a single reason to dislike North Shore. Although dated, it’s a nice little movie for teens. Sure, it’s completely formulaic and predictable, but it’s also entertaining and extremely easy on the eyes. I won’t wait another 30 years to revisit North Shore, that’s for sure.
