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An intriguing account of a unique family.
All Critics (44) | Top Critics (16) | Fresh (43) | 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. Dec 17, 2008 | Full Review…
The fallout decades later provides the drama in this documentary by Doug Pray, who lets his eccentric octogenarian subject off a little too easy.
Andrea Gronvall
A provocative documentary about a man who dropped out to follow a dream that gradually evolved into something not unlike a nightmare. Jul 18, 2008 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…
A provocative documentary about a man who dropped out to follow a dream that gradually evolved into something not unlike a nightmare.
Joe Leydon
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. Jun 26, 2008 | Rating: 3.5/4 | Full Review…
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.
Steven Rea
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. Jun 20, 2008 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…
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.
Roger Ebert
Some documentarians think like essayists, propagandists, abstract painters, or magazine reporters. Doug Pray approaches his documentaries as though he's writing books. Jun 19, 2008 | Rating: A-
Some documentarians think like essayists, propagandists, abstract painters, or magazine reporters. Doug Pray approaches his documentaries as though he's writing books.
Noel Murray
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. Jun 19, 2008 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…
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.
Sid Smith
New Bohemian lifestyle: good, bad, or neutral? Apr 21, 2009 | Rating: 3.5/4 | Full Review…
New Bohemian lifestyle: good, bad, or neutral?
Marty Mapes
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. Feb 11, 2009 | Rating: B | Full Review…
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.
Robert Roten
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. Dec 7, 2008 | Rating: 6/10 | Full Review…
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.
Nora Lee Mandel
Surfwise will make you hug your parents a little harder the next time you see them. Dec 4, 2008 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…
Surfwise will make you hug your parents a little harder the next time you see them.
Christian Toto
Provocative but even-handed subculture lifestyle film. Nov 30, 2008 | Rating: B | Full Review…
Provocative but even-handed subculture lifestyle film.
Dennis Schwartz
Doug Pray, has made a fascinating look at a man who not only was a great revolutionary, but a pure human being. Oct 17, 2008 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…
Doug Pray, has made a fascinating look at a man who not only was a great revolutionary, but a pure human being.
Austin Kennedy
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 think he did the right thing. He closed them off to the world and prevented them from getting an education. He wants us to believe that they got the education they needed and that public education is not important. I liked listening to his kids talk about their experiences and how it affected them, but I hated having to listen to Doc speak his weird views on life. Even with how I feel about Doc's choices and beliefs; I still don't think he is a horrible father. He was with his kids, and he obviously loved them. He just didn't allow them the basic freedoms most kids have. He kids called him a dictator. Surfwise is a well-made and entertaining documentary about a "different" family and the ways it affected all of them.
Super Reviewer
A sad film chronicling the unconventional lifestyle of one of surfing's leading families. Sad, because although their childhood was an idyllic bohemian dream that most kids would die for, none of the Paskowitz kids were prepared for life. Still, it was interesting to hear each of them talk about the way they lived, and to hear Doc Paskowitz, a Stanford educated doctor, talk about his philosophy and explain why he raised his family as he did. Interspersed with the interviews, was what appeared to be home-movie footage and newspaper clippings of the family as they lived the adventure of raising nine children as nomads and traveling the continent in a 24-foot motor home.
[font=Century Gothic]"Surfwise" is an engaging, if not substantive, documentary about Dorian ' Doc' Paskowitz who graduated from Stanford University with a medical degree but fearing the good life, dropped out and took up surfing. After introducing surfing to Israel and failing to enlist in the country's paratroopers, he proceeded to get married for the second time to Jeanette. Together, they would eventually have nine children who were all raised in a 24 foot camper, traveling wherever his whims took them while basically focusing on surfing. These cramped conditions forced them to maintain a certain level of hygiene and the lack of privacy made the parents' energetic sex life a bit disturbing to everyone else. As hard as life was due to being perpetually broke, nobody starved. They eventually settled down to a degree with the establishment of a surfing camp and the children became expert surfers, winning their share of trophies.[/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font] [font=Century Gothic]In this tale of man versus society, all good things must come to an end. And whereas I admire Dorian for finding another path, it is not for everyone which is the conclusion his kids came to as they became adults. However, his idea of an education did not prepare them for life in a structured world, most settling for life in music or on the waves. No matter how tyrannical or possibly abusive Dorian was, all nine of his children participate in the documentary but it has been ten years since they have all been together in the same place.[/font]
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".
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