Surfwise

Not everyone is cut out to be a doctor, but fewer still are the number of medical practitioners who chuck it all to become surfers, sire nine children, and travel the world in a 24-foot camper. Doug Pray's admirably evenhanded portrait of Dorian "Doc" Paskowitz and his clan is definitely different from surfing celebrations such as The Endless Summer and Riding Giants, although pro boarders Kelly Slater and Taylor Knox pay tribute here (after all, Doc not only lived the dream, but also brought surfing to Israel!). Co-produced by Doc's son Jonathan, Surfwise is more of a character study built around the colorful, salty-tongued patriarch. According to Doc's wife Juliette, “for 10 years I was either pregnant or breastfeeding," while youngest child Josh quips, "we were born because Doc wanted to re-populate the world with Jews." A tanned and fit 85 at the time of filming, Doc doesn't consider any of this unusual, describing his family as "the most conventional people," even if they ate health food, were home-schooled, and chased big waves (for cash, Doc ran a surf camp and treated the occasional patient). Despite the lack of creature comforts, it might sound a little like paradise, except for the corporal punishment and the fact that the kids had to listen to their parents having sex every night. Happily, Pray (Hype!, Scratch) never imposes his views on the narrative, but rather allows his subjects to speak for themselves, ultimately leaving it up to viewers to decide whether Doc was a genius, a madman, or something in between. Easily one of the year's most fascinating films, Surfwise is highly recommended. Editor's Choice. [Note: DVD extras include audio commentary with director Doug Pray, producer Matt Weaver, and family member Salvador Paskowitz, 12 minutes of “Outtakes and Breaks,” a five-minute “Doc on Health” featurette, the four-minute segment “A Walk on Water: Surfer's Healing,” four minutes of “Dave Homcy Surfing Cinematographer” surfing clips, and trailers. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a fine documentary.] (K. Fennessy)