stixpicks

What’s the worst mistake you’ve ever made? And what if you could make it right?

In the documentary Finding Sandler, David answers these questions. Apparently he once turned down movie star Adam Sandler’s invitation to chat; so years later—while living his thirties in grandma’s basement and working on local TV instead of on pop movie production—David makes another decision: track down Adam and finally have that drink. It’s an outlandish and impractical idea—realized in a believable and heartwarming fashion.

As (budget but effective) computer animation illustrates that past, David narrates. He said “no” to networking because other people were depending on him to do his job. He explains how he never could forget that moment, and that how now, he has formulated an offer that Adam won’t be able to refuse. Friends and loved ones share their thoughts—all on grainy video captured before cell phones had cameras. Grandma is adorable and supportive; the parents have mixed emotions. It’s all so real, and really, uplifting.

David himself adds entertainment to the already curious story. He’s witty and earnest, whatever height he lacks being made up for with personality and verve. Watching him convince himself, then his loved ones, then random strangers—again and again—is just plain fun. The journey of body and mind takes him and others to places nobody would have seen coming.

Finding Sandler’s production value might not be taught in film school, but its oh-so-painfully-modern hero’s journey might be worthy of that honor. In a world that makes it easy to dwell on past decisions, this movie shows us the value of making a new one.

So, what’s the worst mistake you’ve ever made? Ready to make a movie about it?

Adam chasing his dreams! By following his dreams! To Hollywood!

What’s adventure to you?

Maybe it’s something simple you can do on a whim, like saying hi to a stranger. Or maybe it’s a bit more involved, like jumping out of a helicopter into the ocean off the coast of a country you’ve never been to before which houses a language you don’t understand and a nature so unmarred by humans that you can sit and stare at it for hours, to surf. Either way, I think you’ll like Sweet Adventure.

At its most basic it’s a surf movie. Montages with humans doing dope things on planks in the ocean—these magnetize and invigorate us in equal measure. And all that good stuff, that natural beauty, is captured in crisp detail. Awesome.

The moviemakers elevate the experience, though. They personalize it.

We learn about our cast of characters (three surfers) as their adventure unfolds (traveling from Hawaii to El Salvador to ride waves). Taut but familiar narration from Selema reminds us that world class athletes and adventure-seekers are just like you and me. Watching this, then, becomes a bit like listening to an elderly parent explaining what made each of their children special. So Nora might be a decorated pro skateboarder, but did you know what she thinks about sloths? Let’s see. Do you know what her hometown looks like? Here’s a photo. Had you any concept about how drawing an arrow on a compound bow can make Matt feel? Let’s watch him do it. Right now, we have time for it; it’s all part of it.

Relaxed like a Saturday afternoon and sweet as summer watermelon, Sweet Adventure is full of detours and poignant moments. It’ll help you soak in another sunset, for sure. But it’s also a contemplation of those times in our lives that somehow feel different and memorable. Having watched it, I feel the urge to embark on a new adventure myself.