Rip Tide

The storyline makes no sense. There are Way to many different storylines, and the characters relationsships are not at all explored properly, so the chemistry is non-existing. It is by far the worst film I have ever seen. The progress of the film made me angry.

Cora Hamilton (Debby Ryan) is working to be the next IT girl. Her controlling mother runs a NY modeling agency who is mostly concerned about getting her a big modeling contract. After an embarrassing incident goes viral, she decides to run away to her aunt Margot living in a beach house in Australia. Margot is still haunted by the lost of her husband. There are hunky surf teacher Tom and local surf girl Chicka. Cora learns surfing and gets to design for the vintage fashion show.

The story is pretty thin. It's not far from Ryan's Disney TV material. There isn't much in terms of drama or tension. It has some nice character growth but isn't much more than that. It's got some pretty scenery and a few pretty people. I'm guessing that this Australian production comes with local talents. The acting is fine. There is nothing out right bad but there is nothing that interesting either.

Very entertaining movie, actually enjoyed it up in till 10 minutes to ending. Love the scenery and Australian coast, makes me want to go there and actually sign up for surf lessons. That being said, you focussed the movie on modelling and fashion design, and that was your mistake. Really, watch the last 20 minutes of the movie and ask yourself this? You should know that fashion design in a swimsuit area, needs consulting from actual men. Ok, men, how many of you liked any of the swimsuits or the designs? Swimsuit fashion designs should be geared to men. Did you actually have any men screen those outfits and ask if they actually liked them. The swimsuit designs were atrocious, and really, the outfit she is wearing, do you really wear that on a beach? Let me guess, it's a Vercchai or whatever, shoot the guy that designed it, because not all designs work, and the dress she wearing I would throw in a garbage can and light it on fire. What a piece of crap. Sorry went off topic, 7 stars because the movie took me to a place I would love to visit, Australia.

I like surfing movies and "Riptide" has some beautiful scenes of waves. Who knows what the first film built around a person who grows up in Australia, moves to the USA, leaves the water behind, has a child, and ends up back on an Australian beach and we all live happily ever after but execution is important. Girl model with a pushy mother is almost a trope. "Riptide" attempted to weave together too many disparate parts in too little time.

The introductory scene seemed stilted or fake. It might have worked with more attention to detail and flow but it was just there as a launchpad.

I particularly enjoy short stories because an author can flesh out the smallest thing into something wonderful or illuminating. "Riptide" had so many small things that felt smashed together instead of explored and woven.

Debbie Ryan, as the lead character, was not up to the task; at least with this script, etc.

Tom Creer was the perfect eye candy for a surfing movie but his character was never explored.

There were some fun moments and beautiful cinematography of waves but I was left wanting a film.

I would love this movie if there was more talking/acting instead of whole scenes of just their faces looking at things. It was beautiful though, but I would prefer the characters actually talking to each other instead so we could get to know them more.