Audience Member
I really like the guys from Switchfoot, but was genuinely puzzled by this film. I thought it was a concert film, and sure enough, there were some scenes of them performing in concert. But I don't think I saw a single song performed all the way through. Instead, the movie is mostly about them surfing, which is fine I guess, but that isn't what I thought I was tuning in for.
Rated 2.5/5 Stars •
Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars
01/20/23
Full Review
Audience Member
This is only interesting for fans of the band Switchfoot. Well-shot, in beautiful locations, with some really good music, Fading West is a pretty poorly made documentary. If you've never heard of Switchfoot before, you don't learn anything here. No history of the band, no history of their impact on fans, the film feels like you're stepping into the middle of a very long story. If you don't know who Switchfoot is, don't watch this film, you won't find much to enjoy other than the surfing footage (it's actually pretty great!).
As a fan of Switchfoot, what I found most interesting wasn't any of the vision casting the band did for their mission statement as a band. When I was younger all I cared about was how Jon Foreman, lead singer of the band, used songwriting as a tool to communicate with a large audience his ideals and beliefs. What I cared about most here was the fact that these rockers are almost in their forties, and they still leave their families behind to go surfing and rocking around the globe.
The absence of the spouses of the band was very noticeable, and haunting in the film. Every so often we got glimpses of them, and the band talks about them often, but we never see them. As a band I looked up to in my youth, it was sad to see these guys at this stage of their life. I know they talk about what it means to be a good father and husband, but we don't get much of a revelation here about that. It seems like Switchfoot will keep doing what they've always done, and that's sad.
A movie that deals with this in a much better and stronger way is the punk rock doc, "The 'F' Word". It's much better, and has a much better resolution. Even though it's fun to see these guys having fun, there's a sense of loss that permeates the film. Not on behalf of the band, but on behalf of their families.
Rated 2.5/5 Stars •
Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars
02/06/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Awesome and inspiring movie of Switchfoot's journey as a band as they travel around the world surfing, writing songs and playing shows. A must see for any Switchfoot fan.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
02/09/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Call me biased, but its an amazing look at the band & their life. LOVED the band, LOVED the movie!
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
01/23/23
Full Review
Audience Member
amazing music documentary. worth watching. A must for any switchfoot fan.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
01/26/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Fading West should leave the average Switchfoot fan satisfied. I wouldn't quite consider it essential viewing, especially if you're not already a fan or surfing isn't your thing, but I'm definitely glad to have watched it. Viewing the movie in the context of the Fading West album (and vice versa) elevates it above its virtues as a standalone product.
Full Review: http://www.seeitorfleeit.com/fading-west/
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
02/16/23
Full Review
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