Rotten Tomatoes Logo Do you want to see ‘Surfwise’?

Surfwise (2007)

tomatometer

98

Average Rating: 7.5/10
Reviews Counted: 45
Fresh: 44 | Rotten: 1

An intriguing account of a unique family.

92

Average Rating: 7.2/10
Critic Reviews: 12
Fresh: 11 | Rotten: 1

An intriguing account of a unique family.

audience

63

liked it
Average Rating: 2.9/5
User Ratings: 35,059

My Rating

Movie Info

As far as raw eccentricity is concerned, few American families could top the Paskowitzes. The patriarch, Dorian "Doc" Paskowitz, began life on a commendable, even enviable course, with an M.D. under his arm, rippling sandy-haired good looks, and experience almost single-handedly teaching the country of Israel how to surf. But in the years to follow, bitterness and inveterate disappointment ensued as Dr. Paskowitz tried to settle into a conventional existence. Two broken marriages and a medical

R, 1 hr. 33 min.

Documentary, Sports & Fitness, Special Interest

Jul 29, 2008

$0.2M

Magnolia Pictures

Cast

All Critics (45) | Top Critics (12) | Fresh (44) | Rotten (1)

The fallout decades later provides the drama in this documentary by Doug Pray, who lets his eccentric octogenarian subject off a little too easy.

December 17, 2008 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | Comment
Chicago Reader
Top Critic IconTop Critic

A provocative documentary about a man who dropped out to follow a dream that gradually evolved into something not unlike a nightmare.

July 18, 2008 Full Review Source: Houston Chronicle | Comment
Houston Chronicle
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Not just the story of one man's obsessive quest to find harmony on a plank of wood, Surfwise offers a cautionary tale about parenting, homeschooling (camper-schooling, actually), sibling rivalries and family sacrifice.

June 26, 2008 Full Review Source: Philadelphia Inquirer | Comment
Philadelphia Inquirer
Top Critic IconTop Critic

The film's director, Doug Pray, has been able to track down each and every Paskowitz child, and he weaves their memories together with old home movies, still photos and news clippings to create an evocative portrait of their lives.

June 20, 2008 Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | Comment
Chicago Sun-Times
Top Critic IconTop Critic

A riveting documentary that focuses more on weird family dynamics than big waves.

June 19, 2008 Full Review Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune | Comment
Minneapolis Star Tribune
Top Critic IconTop Critic

The unorthodox upbringing of the Paskowitz clan is the subject of Surfwise, the story of a family who lived on the road, camped at the beachfront and fashioned its own vanguard version of 1960s-'70s alternative lifestyles.

June 19, 2008 Full Review Source: Chicago Tribune | Comment
Chicago Tribune
Top Critic IconTop Critic

New Bohemian lifestyle: good, bad, or neutral?

April 21, 2009 Full Review Source: Movie Habit | Comment
Movie Habit

This documentary about a famous family of nomadic surfers is fascinating not only because of the certifiable oddball patriarch, but also because of his endlessly creative offspring.

February 11, 2009 Full Review Source: Laramie Movie Scope | Comment
Laramie Movie Scope

Intriguing family story of the sunny and dark sides of extreme home-schooling by surfing, through a trove of photos, home movies, and reminiscences, but little insight.

December 7, 2008 Full Review Source: Film-Forward.com | Comment
Film-Forward.com

Surfwise will make you hug your parents a little harder the next time you see them.

December 4, 2008 Full Review Source: What Would Toto Watch? | Comment
What Would Toto Watch?

Provocative but even-handed subculture lifestyle film.

November 30, 2008 Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews | Comment
Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Doug Pray, has made a fascinating look at a man who not only was a great revolutionary, but a pure human being.

October 17, 2008 Full Review Source: Sin Magazine | Comment
Sin Magazine

Pray's fast-paced editing matches the Paskowitzes' rootless existence, though at times it's difficult to keep track of who's who.

August 1, 2008 Comment
Salt Lake Tribune

The most fascinating parts of the movie explore how the Paskowitz children -- who are now in their 30s and 40s -- continue to adjust to a more 'normal' lifestyle.

July 31, 2008 Full Review Source: Deseret News, Salt Lake City | Comment
Deseret News, Salt Lake City

Surfwise is a graceful, searching film that seems to have missed no opportunity to reveal truths about parents and children and how they come to understand each other.

June 20, 2008 Full Review Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press | Comment
St. Paul Pioneer Press

Some documentarians think like essayists, propagandists, abstract painters, or magazine reporters. Doug Pray approaches his documentaries as though he's writing books.

June 19, 2008 Full Review Source: AV Club | Comment
AV Club

...captures both the lure of the proto-hippie life and the often unresolved tensions...

June 19, 2008 Full Review Source: Sacramento News & Review | Comment
Sacramento News & Review
More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Surfwise

After watching Surfwise; I don't know what to think of "Doc" and the way he raised his children. All I know is that I wouldn't have wanted to grow up that way. Doc seems like he had the best intentions, but still have this feeling of hate towards the way he chose to bring up his children. I don't understand how he can

July 16, 2011
blkbomb
Melvin White

Super Reviewer

At once engaging and infuriating, this documentary shows both the good side to the Paskowitz family upbringing, and the bad. Managed to bring a tear to my eye at the end, but I still could find little sympathy for "Doc".

May 5, 2008
Beefy
Steve K

Super Reviewer

Surfwise Quotes

No quotes approved yet for Surfwise. Logged in users can submit quotes.

Latest News for Surfwise

What's Hot On RT

Luis Guzman
Luis Guzman

What are his 10 best movies ever?

<em>Amazing Spider-Man</em>
Amazing Spider-Man

See the all-new action-packed trailer!

The Avengers!
The Avengers!

Five new Marvelous pictures

Total Recall
Total Recall

Unconventional Superheroes

Top Movie Quizzes

LEGO Mania: 2011 Best Picture Nominees
by natalie - 18,544 taken
created 12 months ago
How Much Do You Know About Leonardo DiCaprio?
by natalie - 44,390 taken
created 15 months ago
Pixar Movies!
by jdikwlzviv - 27,126 taken
created 15 months ago
The Wizards of Harry Potter
by jdikwlzviv - 27,628 taken
created 15 months ago
Help | About | Jobs | Newsletter | Critics Submission | API | Licensing | Blog | Developers | Mobile