Writer-director Larry Rippenkroeger takes his firsthand experience as a four-time world champion jet skier and puts it into his rip-roaring action comedy Hot Water. Hot Water places you behind the scenes of the fascinating jet ski competition world, which may not be known to most audiences.
The lively action-comedy centers on a gifted young jet skier named Billy Burnett (Glenn McCuen) who, much to the chagrin of his hard-nosed, ad exec father (Michael Papajohn), wants to follow his aquatic dreams. Billy's dad, Douglas, reluctantly enlists a famous coach (Trevor Donovan) and buffoonish promoter Danny (the hilarious Max Adler) to improve Billy's chances on the circuit. Along the way, Billy befriends and falls for Kelly, (the spunky Nikki Leigh) the Women's National Champion.
Hot Water could be easily dismissed as just a superficial comedy about insanely attractive people engaging in thrilling activities, but the performances are incredibly charming and the actors manage to rise above their character's stereotypical traits. The film also has the dynamic vigor of a 1980s comedy—the enticing combination of beaches, babes, and tight, tanned muscles—which rouses the viewer. Combined with the strong cast, the audience becomes completely invested in Billy's journey and the tight competition.
Rippenkroeger fluidly interweaves screwball comedy (with dashes of gross-out humor and other over-the-top gags), romance, and even familial drama. The surrounding subplots are more than just filler, however, it is the action set pieces that stand out the most. The jet ski race scenes are unrelentingly tense and have a gripping excitement. In several shots, Rippenkroeger places the camera directly in front of the jet ski rider, giving the viewer an intimate sense of the sport's exhilarating thrills. Hot Water has a dash of obnoxious silliness, but Rippenkroeger elevates his vivacious film with a greater emotional weight that makes it more than just a delightful and breezy summer romp.