Laird Hamilton is a big wave surfing legend, some say the greatest of all time. He’s also disobedient, innovative, fearless, and devastatingly self-assured. Hamilton holds back nothing in this film, which explores his lifelong quest to challenge himself and push the boundaries of his sport. The cinematography and archival footage are fantastic—this mesmerizing flirtation with danger almost demands to be seen on a big screen. But it’s director Rory Kennedy’s trek to the inner sanctum of Hamilton’s larger-than-life persona that makes this more than just a surfing flick. The film begins with Hamilton’s turbulent 1960s childhood in Hawaii and features interviews with his wife—volleyball champion Gabrielle Reese—and a slew of iconic pro surfers like Gerry Lopez and Buzzy Kerbox, who tell behind-the-scenes stories of adventure and conflict. What unfolds is an unflinching yet inspiring portrait of an incomparable athlete for whom everything but the ocean is just a sideshow. RYS