2021 LIGHTHOUSE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL REVIEW:
Jaws is regarded as the first Hollywood blockbuster, taking the world by storm and changing cinema forever. The inspiration for Jaws came from a relatively unknown source, and her name is Valerie Taylor. Valerie has explored the world and studied sharks since the 1950’s and has claimed, on numerous occasions, that sharks are far more docile and friendly than the general public believes and pop cultures depicts them as. Playing with Sharks tells the story of Valerie, her husband Ron Taylor, and their friends as they set out to explore the depths of the ocean and clear the name of the daunting shark.
Playing with Sharks feels overly dramatic in its early stages, as Valerie’s story is being set up. It seems that director Sally Aitken made a conscious decision to dramatize the first act of this documentary in an attempt to intrigue viewers and spark some interest. I found these instances of fabricated drama to be cumbersome and underwhelming in the same breath, as they ultimately feel forced, essentially cutting the beginnings of Playing with Sharks off at the knees. However, as the film continues forward the tone shifts to something more calming and even keeled. This is where Aitken’s storytelling ability begins to shine, and the life and adventure of Valerie becomes far more interesting.
Developing a film is no easy task; it requires a tremendous amount of preparation, dedication, and patience, but Playing with Sharks is something entirely different. With more than fifty years worth of footage from Valerie’s expeditions, Aitken and her cohorts were tasked with finding just the right pieces of evidence to support their film and their claim that Valerie is as wonderful as they believe. They have found what must be her greatest moments (because if there is footage in existence of her looking even more fantastic I may begin to question whether or not she’s an actual superhero). She is beautifully represented; viewers see her as head strong, loving, independent, trustworthy, and just about every other positive quality one might be able to muster up. Viewers fall in love with Valerie and cannot help but to admire all that she is and all that she has done. The story of Valerie Taylor is in full swing after about the twenty minute mark, and Aitken never looks back, only forward to the potential that Playing with Sharks possesses--and that potential is massive.
While Playing with Sharks truly is the Valerie Taylor story, the ocean exists as a prominent character in the telling of that story. The ocean is characterized, as it should be, as a prominent, diverse, and elegant subject that ultimately guides the documentary in its entirety. The captivating visuals engulf the audience and I can remember feeling fully immersed in this world of water, almost as if I was part of the story. The immaculate story coupled with the brilliant visuals invites viewers in and refuses to let them go, entertaining throughout nearly the entire film.
Playing with Sharks is a film for cinema lovers, animal lovers, cinephiles, ocean fanatics, etc. In other words, Aitken has developed a documentary for just about everyone. If you’ve ever seen Jaws, you’ll find the content entertaining, and if you enjoy watching films about beautiful women, well, there just happens to be something for you, too. Playing with Sharks never relents as it hooks viewers early on and intrigues them with beautiful visuals, emotional value, and cinematic comparisons that will have viewers on the edge of their seats. Playing with Sharks is truly captivating as it pieces together the story of a woman most people have never heard of. There are so many important messages present in Aitken’s film, but the most important might be that Valerie Taylor is a force to be reckoned with, the real deal, and an inspiration for all.
Written & Directed by Sally Aitken.
Starring Valerie Taylor, Ron Taylor, Rodney Rox, Jean-Michel Guestau, etc.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐½/10
留言