Swell

This was a pleasant surprise. I just happened upon this movie after returning from a trip to California and traveling the lower half of 101. I thoroughly enjoyed the storyline...just hoping there will be a sequel!!!!

Open your hearts, reviewers who gave this stunning film less than at least 9 stars. This is one of the best dramas I have ever seen. It's not a typical surfing movie--no, not by far. It starts a bit slow, but then it really picks up, and opportunities for love and acceptance begin to pour. Bravo to all involved! You have really given your viewers excellence and a perfected philosophy of love, forgiveness, acceptance, and hope.

Swell is a breath of fresh air, a movie that engages you, gets inside you, pulls at your heart, and makes you laugh and cry. Just like life. There's nothing more captivating than a story that opens painful childhood memories and stops you emotionally dead in your tracks, and then puts you in uncomfortable relationships with loving friends who walk with you until you overcome and find resolution and peace. The storyline is so well written and the acting so genuine (Bernsen, Spiro, Wittman), you won't pause it once. Unlike many movies that grip you, but leave you feeling unsettled when it's over, Swell leaves you feeling deeply affected but somehow content and satisfied. But now I've done it-told you all about the movie! I would have given Swell 11 stars but the limit is 10.

I really liked this film. I think there are a lot of films out there that kind of brush over pain and struggle. They are like "oh this person had bad things happen to them and bam now they are fine". This film allows the characters to hurt and be real! I liked that it's not super Hollywood it's a real indie drama. The cinematography was also stunning! Makes me want to take a drive up the coast.

There is very little to like about this movie. The writing is schmaltzy and the story movies slowly. The character of Vera was bad enough to tolerate, but when you throw in the village idiot, Noah, whose acting was unrelentingly bad and grating, you have the recipe for a movie that constantly leaves you wishing for it to come to a merciful end.