Upon meeting the summer subletters, Goat (played by Shayelin Martin) stands observing her mother, Jane (Caitlyn Sponheimer), fix a trim panel in the house. The father of these vacationers has pointed it out to his wife, who is holding their infant and is clearly displeased with the whole ordeal. Goat turns away to find their other child standing in the hallway between her room and her mother's. He could be mistaken for a department-store kids' mannequin, the way he's dressed. Goat focuses first on his patterned shark fedora, then holds her gaze on his Vans. They are skater shoes on a kid who's never even touched a skateboard. She can tell because his shoes look pristine, new, and perfectly tied, completely the opposite of Goat's. We cut to her sitting on the curb outside, staring at her own worn, faded, and beat-up pair of skater shoes from yesteryear.
This use of imagery to tell the story is simple yet poignant, eliciting emotion while informing the viewer. For a feature directorial debut, this is a promising example of mature storytelling. The story is a personal one for writer/director Caitlyn Sponheimer, who used to vacation in that same RV in Penticton, British Columbia, with her parents. Drawing inspiration from this place and the people who live there, she has crafted a wonderful story with incredible performances from a young cast. Shayelin Martin and Leandro Guedes's (who plays Nate) chemistry feels authentic and exactly like those friendships you make that mean so much in the moment yet only last for a single summer.
Wild Goat Surf follows an unruly teen tomboy thief who dreams of the ocean. It's clear from the beginning that her father is not in the picture, but the admiration for his career is something Goat carries close to her heart. Her mother works two jobs to provide for them, meaning Goat is often left alone and her wayward nature tests those around her. The arrival of the neighbor boy Nate is our entryway into her already established summer routine at the campground. In the end, her angst eventually boils over, forcing her to confront her reluctance to grow up.
Unlike other coming-of-age stories, this movie touches on subjects that often go unexplored in the genre. Living on the cusp of homelessness, grieving a lost father, and living in a single-parent household are not as represented on screen as they are in real life. The complexity of these issues and our distance from them are often overlooked or completely downplayed in films. While clunky at times, Wild Goat Surf offers a fresh take on a very underutilized genre today, one that always leaves the viewer with a sense of hope and wonder in the end. Recommended.
Why should public libraries add this movie to their shelves?
At the core of this film is a spiritual story about accountability and love. Grief and death are parts of life, and Wild Goat Surf covers difficult topics with lots of grace. Instead of glossing over the harsh reality of struggling to get by, we are shown the consequences of one mistake snowballing. Not many coming-of-age stories focus on both a mother and daughter needing to grow up in their respective ways, but here we find our lead women at a crossroads in life, standing in a doorway, closed in. The topics in this film represent a different perspective on a familiar genre.
Is Wild Goat Surf appropriate for educational screenings?
Wild Goat Surf is full of big ideas, and the way it navigates these topics is impressive. Although a bit forced at times, most of the story organically covers themes of gender identity, sexuality, bereavement and grief, combatting homelessness, and the ramifications of young or teen single-parent households. This film could pair well with many initiatives or displays that shed light on any of these issues in a positive way.
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