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Surfwise

Play trailer Poster for Surfwise R 2007 1h 33m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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98% Tomatometer 46 Reviews 66% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
Forsaking a traditional home life, Dorian "Doc" Paskowitz and his wife raise their large brood in a 24-foot camper and spend their time surfing.
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Surfwise

Surfwise

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Critics Consensus

An intriguing account of a unique family.

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Critics Reviews

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Andrea Gronvall Chicago Reader The fallout decades later provides the drama in this documentary by Doug Pray, who lets his eccentric octogenarian subject off a little too easy. Dec 17, 2008 Full Review Joe Leydon Houston Chronicle A provocative documentary about a man who dropped out to follow a dream that gradually evolved into something not unlike a nightmare. Rated: 3/4 Jul 18, 2008 Full Review Steven Rea Philadelphia Inquirer Not just the story of one man's obsessive quest to find harmony on a plank of wood, Surfwise offers a cautionary tale about parenting, homeschooling (camper-schooling, actually), sibling rivalries and family sacrifice. Rated: 3.5/4 Jun 26, 2008 Full Review Felicia Feaster Charleston City Paper [A] wonderful, captivating documentary. Jan 28, 2020 Full Review Mike D'Angelo Esquire Magazine You can't stop watching, but every fiber of your being is still shouting, "Put the goddamn camera down!" Oct 17, 2018 Full Review Marty Mapes Movie Habit New Bohemian lifestyle: good, bad, or neutral? Rated: 3.5/4 Apr 21, 2009 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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William L Post-COVID, I'm not sure if Doc Paskowitz's rigorous dedication to his interpretation of natural living sans medicine will click with as many people. Maybe temper those hard and fast rules a bit. Surfwise is a competent documentary of an interesting character full of eccentricities both endearing and eyebrow-raising, but in a sea of engaging and well-researched productions on a range of subjects since 2000 or so, Surfwise is sort of just another (solid) face in the crowd. Initially, the film seems to reach for really low-hanging fruit; so this former doctor lives a Cali-bohemian lifestyle, is vocal about how he likes sex, and uses a few expletives, okay. But the film dives into a much more interesting place when it shows a far darker side to his supposedly idyllic anti-materialism; Paskowitz is variously self-liberated but exceptionally domineering, extreme, often selfish, and even intermittently violent, and his relationship with his children is turbulent at best. One of the most fascinating aspects of the film is the rebellious nature of the kids after their departure from the family camper, often going to extremes after their ultraconservative upbringing; they variously balance a sincere belief in some of their father's principles while harboring major resentments for the man himself. Decent film, interesting if not perfect. (2.5/5) Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/03/22 Full Review Audience Member A wonderful journey of life, as we don't know it. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/13/23 Full Review Tim G Well that's one way to do it. As expected, some elements that make the patriarch appealing, some bordering on appalling or at least just unusual. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 05/16/16 Full Review Audience Member will make any of our parents look rational and sane. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/22/23 Full Review Audience Member Various philosophies of life : Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Very interesting documentary. I never heard of the Paskowitzes before this film. They had a very different story and lifestyle. Part of me thinks it would be cool to live like them, but the other part is alright as is. Ha. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/30/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Surfwise

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Cast & Crew

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Doug Pray

Director

Doug Pray

Writer

Todd Wagner

Executive Producer

Mark Cuban

Executive Producer

Joana Vicente

Executive Producer

Jason Kliot

Executive Producer

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Surfwise

The Paskowitz family home in SURFWISE, a Magnolia Pictures release. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures. Adam Paskowitz in SURFWISE, a Magnolia Pictures release. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures. Adam Paskowitz in SURFWISE, a Magnolia Pictures release. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures. Five of the Paskowitz children in SURFWISE, a Magnolia Pictures release. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures. Doug Pray, director of SURFWISE, a Magnolia Pictures release. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures. The Paskowitz family in SURFWISE, a Magnolia Pictures release. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures. The Paskowitz family in SURFWISE, a Magnolia Pictures release. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures. Doc Paskowitz in SURFWISE, a Magnolia Pictures release. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures. View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Forsaking a traditional home life, Dorian "Doc" Paskowitz and his wife raise their large brood in a 24-foot camper and spend their time surfing.
Director
Doug Pray
Producer
Graydon Carter, Tommy Means, Jonathan Paskowitz, Matt Weaver
Screenwriter
Doug Pray
Production Co
HDNet
Rating
R (Language|Some Sexual Material)
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 31, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$268.6K
Runtime
1h 33m
Sound Mix
Dolby Digital
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