The camera loves Zac Efron's face! In this sweet little weeper geared primarily for
tweens, Mr. Efron ("17 Again" and "Me and Orson Welles") not only has a chance
to show off his noteworthy torso, but he also does a commendable job playing
the role of a Big Man on (high school) Campus destined for Stanford on a sailing
scholarship (I didn't know there was such a thing), who wrecks his mother's car and
his life in one fell swoop.
Joining him on screen we see:
•
Charlie Tahan ("Nights in Rodanthe") as the much-loved little brother
to whom he makes an oath he will keep, "come hell or high water!"
•
Kim Basinger ("The Informers") as his single mother, picking up extra shifts
at the hospital to make ends meet.
•
Ray Liotta ("Date Night") as the EMT who has the St. Christopher's medal.
•
Amanda Crew ("Sex Drive") as a fellow sailing enthusiast.
•
Augustus Prew ("About a Boy") as a loyal co-worker. This actor is either
from Australia or his character is.
Although this story supposedly takes place in Puget Sound, the Vancouver
B.C. locations work just fine. The tweens clapped when Zac took off his shirt and
applauded when he kissed the girl, so it really didn't matter where they shot the
film, so long as his gorgeous face wasn't blurred. The shirt removal scene was the
steamiest one of the entire film, which is to say, no nudity, no sweaty bodies, no
profanity; lots of Efron in wet t-shirts sailing, surfing and otherwise enjoying water
sports.
I hope Zac Efron has a solid career ahead of him; so far, it looks like he is doing
everything right.