Netflix review: True Spirit

WHAT Australian teen-age sailor Jessica Watson did is nothing short of phenomenal. 

Netflix recently released the true story of this extraordinary 16 year old girl who circumnavigated the world on a small boat, unassisted. 

The biopic is currently number two in Netflix’ top 10 movies in the Philippines.

Watson is played by Teagan Croft, an Australian teen actress and star of the DC adapted TV series Titans. They couldn’t have found a better actress to portray the role of this iconic personality. 

Apart from closely resembling the real Watson, Croft had the presence and a timeless type of beauty to draw viewers in even in the most mundane scenes, like brushing teeth, cooking broccoli and setting up a vlogging camera. 

Don’t be surprised if she will become one of the go-to actresses for future Netflix projects. 

Stellar supporting cast

Anna Paquin, star of X-men and the HBO series True Blood, portrayed the doting mother, Julie Watson. 

As you would expect from the Golden Globe and Oscar nominee, Pacquin was stellar in the movie. 

Cliff Curtis, who starred in Avatar –  Way of the Water actor, is also part of this talented ensemble, playing Watson’s coach. You may remember him for his role as Travis Manawa in the popular AMC show Fear of the Living Dead. 

Curtis and Croft had really good chemistry as mentor and protege in the film. The supporting cast was more than adequate and memorable. 

The movie has everything you would find in an inspirational type movie: A heroine who was constantly underestimated, an interesting family dynamic, big waves and a climax that had lots of drama.

It felt like a disney TV series at times because of the overall wholesome feel of the movie, but the story was just too good for people not to enjoy it. 

You may get a little seasick and wish that there was more to the story than what was told in the movie. But that’s the thing about biopics; it’s only as good as the events that actually transpired.

Sydney Harbor was one of the highlights here. It is such a beautiful venue with the Opera house as the backdrop for the feel-good ending. 

It is not for the cinephile with discriminating taste as this movie seems formulaic, but it does tug at a few heart strings and gives goosies all the way. 

3 stars out of 5