Watch Stoke

Stoke is a 2019 indie drama film that tells the story of a talented individual, Jane, who is struggling to balance her love for surfing and her responsibilities as a mother. Directed by Zoe Eisenberg and Phillips Smyth, the film stars Caitlin Holcombe, Kauhane Lopes, and Randall Galius Jr. The film opens with Jane, a young woman who has a passion for surfing, taking her daughter, Nani, to the beach. While Nani plays in the sand, Jane takes to the waves and enjoys the momentary freedom she feels when she surfs. However, her surfing excursions are few and far between, as she has to work multiple jobs to support herself and her daughter.

Despite the uphill battle she faces, Jane is determined to follow her dream of becoming a professional surfer. She spends all her spare time training, practicing her surfing skills, and learning from the locals on the beach. Jane's dedication to her craft eventually catches the attention of her surf instructor, who sees her potential and encourages her to enter a local surf competition.

While it would be a significant opportunity for Jane to showcase her surfing skills and potentially win the competition prize money, she faces obstacles that could prevent her from participating. One of the biggest obstacles is her job, which often requires her to work long hours and on the weekends, the same time as the competition. She also has to find a way to balance her surfing aspirations with her responsibilities as a mother, as she wants to be there for her daughter who needs her support.

Along the way, Jane forms a friendship with a fellow surfer, Carver, who has his own struggles but sees something unique in Jane that he admires. He becomes her support system, encouraging her to push her limits and never give up on her dream of surfing.

The film's underlying message is that sometimes, the things that we love and the things we need to do can be conflated. But with the right mindset and support system, one can overcome their hurdles and strike a balance between what they love and what they need to do. It encourages the audience to always strive to achieve their goals while being responsible for themselves and those around them.

Overall, Stoke is a heartwarming and inspiring film that explores the journey of a young woman's passion for surfing and her quest to chase her dreams while meeting her responsibilities. It's a film that draws you in with its raw and emotional tones of the struggles of single parenthood, and ultimately leaves you feeling uplifted as the characters come full circle in their journeys. The performances from the cast are fantastic, and the breathtaking surf scenes capture the beauty and excitement of the surfing world. Anyone who loves a good coming-of-age story, sports dramas, or simply enjoys an uplifting performance will not be disappointed.

Stoke is a 2016 sports & fitness movie with a runtime of 35 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.5.