Watch Hardflip

In the 2012 film Hardflip, we follow the story of a 17-year-old skateboarder named Caleb (played by Randy Wayne) who is struggling to come to terms with the recent death of his mother. His father (played by John Schneider) is a recovering alcoholic who is trying to reconnect with his son but is unaware of the pain Caleb is going through.

Caleb finds solace in skateboarding, which he sees as a way to escape his troubles and prove himself to his absent mother. However, his passion for skating gets him into trouble with local gangs who extort money from him and threaten him with violence.

As he tries to get out from under the shadow of his mother's death, he meets a girl named Angie (played by Rosanna Arquette) who helps him see that he doesn't have to face his problems alone. With Angie's encouragement, Caleb enters a skateboarding competition that is being hosted by his childhood hero and skateboarding legend, Tony Hawk.

The competition is a chance for Caleb to prove himself as a skater and as a person, but the road to getting there is not an easy one. He has to confront his own fears, the pressures of the competition, and the violence of the gangs that are still after him.

Throughout the film, we see Caleb struggle with his emotions and the painful reality of losing his mother. He tries to block out the sadness by throwing himself into his skateboarding, but ultimately realizes that this is not the solution to his problems.

The film does an excellent job of capturing the thrill and danger of skateboarding, and the challenges that young people face when trying to come to terms with their emotions. The cast is superb, with Randy Wayne delivering a nuanced and emotionally complex portrayal of Caleb. John Schneider is also excellent as Caleb's father, providing a sense of gravitas and compassion that anchors the film.

Overall, Hardflip is a powerful and engaging coming-of-age drama that offers a fresh perspective on skateboarding and the struggles of young people in modern society. It is a film that explores complex emotions and themes with depth and sensitivity, and is well worth a watch for anyone interested in the sport of skateboarding or in meaningful, character-driven drama.

Hardflip is a 2012 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 51 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.3.