Films: Charlie St Cloud

Netflix makes it much easier to catch up with all sorts of films. Classics and new flicks alike, it’s been super helpful and a time-suck.

Charlie St Cloud (CSC) is the one that’s rolling right now. It’s a bit slow but the premise is curious. Based on a novel, it’s about a golden boy, Charlie, who is about to finish high school and sail off to Stanford on a full scholarship. That is, until his brother dies and his whole world changes.

Zac Efron is ok as CSC. Not wooden for the most part, he certainly has the Boy Scout image about him and this helps him uphold the role well. He is a bit typecast as a good guy, but I guess it works.

Some plot holes and some strangeness here and there. Certainly communicating with the dead and having a familiar spirit rely on the brother to stay ‘alive’ is somewhat odd. However, the message of finding hope and deliverance from the past through friendship and love and being able to move on is one I can stand behind.

The cinematography and sailing are exhilarating. And I love the name. 

3.5 out of 5 stars