Chasing Mavericks (2012)

When young Jay Moriarity discovers that the mythic Mavericks surf break, one of the biggest waves on Earth, exists just miles from his Santa Cruz home, he enlists the help of local legend Frosty Hesson to train him to survive it.

Directors:

Michael Apted, Curtis Hanson

Writers:

Kario Salem (screenplay), Jim Meenaghan (story),

Stars:

Gerard Butler, Jonny Weston, Elisabeth Shue

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gerard Butler	...	Frosty Hesson
Jonny Weston	...	Jay Moriarity
Elisabeth Shue	...	Kristy Moriarity
Abigail Spencer	...	Brenda Hesson
Leven Rambin	...	Kim Moriarity
Greg Long	...	Magnificent One
Peter Mel	...	Magnificent Two
Zach Wormhoudt	...	Magnificent Three
Devin Crittenden	...	Blond
Taylor Handley	...	Sonny
Cooper Timberline	...	Young Jay
Maya Raines	...	Roquet
Harley Graham	...	Young Kim
Jenica Bergere	...	Zeuf
James Anthony Cotton	...	Frank

Storyline

The inspirational true story of real life surfing phenomenon Jay Moriarity. When 15 year old Jay discovers that the mythic Mavericks surf break, one of the biggest waves on Earth, is not only real, but exists just miles from his Santa Cruz home, he enlists the help of local legend Frosty Hesson to train him to survive it. As Jay and Frosty embark on their quest to accomplish the impossible, they form a unique friendship that transforms both their lives, and their quest to tame Mavericks becomes about far more than surfing.

---

Plot Keywords:

surfing | box office flop | no opening credits | year 1987 | two word title | 

---

Taglines:

Legends Start Somewhere

---

Genres:

Drama | Sport

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for thematic elements and some perilous action

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 October 2012 (USA)

Also Known As:

Of Men and Mavericks

Filming Locations:

Half Moon Bay, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$20,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$2,268,274 (USA) (26 October 2012)

Gross:

$6,002,756 (USA) (11 January 2013)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fox 2000 Pictures, Walden Media

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min

Sound Mix:

Datasat Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

An international casting search was conducted online to find the actor to play Jay Moriarty. The scenes where actors are asked to prepare for their auditions are still viewable online through letitcast.com.

---

Goofs

When Jay is out in the water searching for Frosty, he throws the bottle cap into the water and puts the bottle without the cap back on the board. When he peddles further the bottle cap is back on the bottle.

---

Quotes

Frosty Hesson: We all come from the sea, but we are not all of the sea. Those of us who are, we children of the tides, must return to it again and again, until the day we don't come back leaving only that which was touched along the way.

---

Connections

Referenced in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Episode #20.71 (2012)

User Reviews

Great Movie

I went and saw this after reading many unfavorable reviews, and now having seen it I can't figure out all the negative attention. Granted, I may be a little biased having grown up surfing in Northern CA, paddling out at many of those spots, and looking up to the big wave chargers such as Jay, but based on entertainment value alone I thought it was great. The acting was solid, footage was incredible, and story never dragged on or lost my attention. The film portrayed a reasonably realistic vibe of Santa Cruz as a high school kid and the often not discussed elements of surfing. I thought it was great that they were able to bring in the real pioneers of Mavs and local shapers.

The only down-check was that it did feel slightly 'karate-kidish' at times and there were a few events that would be incredibly rare that all seemed to happen at opportune moments.

Perhaps this movie won't appeal as much to many who don't have a passion for the sport or appreciate the massive undertaking of paddling out in heavy surf - but I found it very entertaining. The story may not have been 100% accurate, but the point is to pay respect to and tell the story of an extremely driven and all around good guy.