Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Maika Monroe | ... | Medina | |
Cody Fern | ... | Jim | |
Jennifer Garner | ... | Sandy | |
Justin Kirk | ... | Phil | |
Noah Silver | ... | Adrian | |
Alex Neustaedter | ... | Alex | |
Thomas Cocquerel | ... | Mildew | |
Milo Gibson | ... | Chad | |
Brice Fisher | ... | Danny | |
Joely Fisher | ... | Janet | |
Elisabeth Röhm | ... | Kristen (as Elisabeth Rohm) | |
Alicia Silverstone | ... | Ava | |
Stevie Lynn Jones | ... | Heather | |
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Alex Knost | ... | Don Edder |
Goran Visnjic | ... | Joe |
When the Mason family moves to idyllic Palos Verdes, Calif., the father, Phil, loves it but the mother, Sandy, feels out of place among the fake tans and tennis skirts. Phil and Sandy's daughter, Medina, is a loner and outcast at school, while her charismatic brother, Jim, is effortlessly popular. When Medina and Jim take up surfing, they must prove their right to share the waves with the tough Bayboys gang that monopolizes their stretch of beach.
The Mason family has just moved from Michigan to the exclusive community of Palos Verdes, California. There's the noted heart surgeon father (Justin Kirk), the emotionally troubled mother (Jennifer Garner) and their extremely close twin siblings (Maika Monroe and Cody Fern).
The film is narrated by Monroe's character Medina, as they all settle into their palatial home overlooking the gorgeous Pacific Ocean. However, all is not idyllic in this family, as we actually watch them deteriorate before our eyes.
The acting is solid all around but I found the story led me on a depressive and mean-spirited slog, with the parents particularly despicable here as they manipulate their teenage kids for their own purposes no matter what the cost. Without giving too much away here, the cost will be very high.
Overall, some may find this unrelenting melodrama to their liking but for me it was a difficult view and far from entertaining.