True Spirit, the review: a good true story for a motivational film

The review of True Spirit: the film starring Teagan Croft tells the story of Jessica Watson, an Australian skipper who circumnavigated the world at the age of sixteen. By taking numerous liberties with respect to the true story, the work ends up being an inspirational movie with slightly too canonical tones. Streamed on Netflix.

Towards the end, when there were just a few miles left before the protagonist’s return home, we (partly) change our opinion on True Spiritan honest TV movie directed by Sarah Spillane in which a thrilling but controversial story is told true story dated 2009 and which, perhaps, you will remember for the media echo it assumed. And we change it to a positive (as if to say, an extra half star!) because we understand how much the pre-set dimension of the film is in any case supported by a noble intention, as well as a sincere transport that takes us directly to the center of the action. Indeed, at the center of the cyclone. Like those faced by a protagonist from whom we could learn a lot, starting with the perseverance with which she carried out an impossible mission to the end.

Noble sense aside, the film is distributed by Netflix it precisely follows the canons of the most classic cheap and highly emotional television production; a production very similar to those licensed products from the early 1990s, which were then served up in the afternoon slot. But, net of a general crystallization, that of the Australian-American director is a good pastime that makes us rediscover the incredible adventure carried on by a young Australian girl, then told in True Spirit: The Aussie Girl Who Took on the Worldwhich inspired the film in question.

The true story of Jessica Watson

Who is it about? We are talking about Jessica Watson (Teagan Croft), an Australian sailor (what happened to her? Today she is a manager and financial consultant for Deloitte, in Melbourne) tenacious and courageous who, at the age of 16, sailed around the world solo (and without ever land) aboard a sailboat, the Ella’s Pink Lady (only Pink in the film, and there are no mentions of sponsors). But let’s go in order, between reality and fiction: in 2008, at fifteen, she, Jessica, declared that she wanted to test herself, creating something that could inspire people. Born and raised with a passion for the sea and navigation, she carried on the project of circumnavigating the earth, despite the criticisms directed at her and her family: too inexperienced and too young to embark on such an undertaking.

It must be said that this aspect, in True Spirit, is only hinted at, and the overall negative judgment that accompanied her departure, scheduled for May 1, 2009, is almost completely absent. Setting sail from Sydney, Jessica faced the Oceans alone – and all that follows, between storms and lack of wind – returning home a year later, on May 15, 2010, being greeted by such jubilation that the girl became one of the most famous Australians in the world. In fact, many followed Jessica’s journey through a blog in which she shared the emotions she felt during the tortuous route.

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Reality and poetic license

Among the many poetic licenses (the mentor Ben Bryant, who remotely follows Jessica’s journey, is pure fantasy), the situational emphasis and the adherence to reality that leaves out several aspects of the story (the record has not been officially attributed to her for a bureaucratic technicality on the actual miles travelled), True Spirit, enveloped in an all too canonical and sweetened atmosphere, still carries out its work. Or? Underline how self-denial and determination are fundamental elements for self-realization, pushing on the more scenographic aspects of the story, net of a latently selfish nuance.

Even the most unthinkable challenge, which drastically moves away from comfort zone, can be made with the right emotional support and with a strong self-consistency, elements that have united Jessica with her family, on which the film often lingers. The important thing is to believe in it, to move forward, to continue navigating. After all, the figure of the young woman Jessica Watsonin True Spirit, is always center stage, and with her the trail of inspiration she leaves behind. A beautiful story, an effective protagonist and a discreet staging that masters with a sure hand (net of not very high means) the most eventful sequences, outline a film with tones of sure impact. After all, the characteristics that Netflix itself indicates in the film profile do not make sense: motivating, moving, optimistic. What else to add?