Ocean Boy (2022) User Reviews

What Walt's Watching

[waltermwilliams · 7/10 · 23 August 2022]

The title "Bosch & Rockit" may be misleading.

On one hand you might think this is a new fusion lettuce salad or a fancy electrical/farming appliance.

The reality is it's one of the best Aussie movies to feature the surf scene since Simon Bakers' "Breath" based on the Tim Winton best seller.

This drama was the star of the recent Gold Coast Film Festival and is set in the summer of 1990 along the New South Wales North Coast, The eldest of the Hemsworth acting male siblings, Luke, plays "Bosch", a dead beat dad who despite everything loves his son "Rockit".

The son is cast with a fresh new Aussie actor Rasmus King in the role.

He's actually from Byron Bay and is a pro surfer who's used to the nomadic lifestyle he plays in this movie...it was almost made for him.

Dads a farmer, of sorts, and once his crop goes up in smoke (Cheech & Chong style) the pair flee the scene and take cover in Rasmus' birth place, Byron Bay.

Fun Fact: the Motel featured in this movie is actually in Brunswick Heads.

With crooked cop "Derek" played by "Blue Heelers" star Martin Sacks (he's been in a good paddock) hot on his heels the father and son manage to make NSW's thin blue line look like Keystone Cops.

Ironically Isabel Lucas as "Deb" plays "Boschs" lover.

In real life, Luke younger brother Chris "Thor" Hemsworth was an item with Lucas after starring in a movie together.

Families are complicated.

"Rockit" is a very naive young teen who believes his alcoholic mum (Leeanna Walsman as "Elizabeth") is coming back to their tight little family.

This is the same lad mercilessly bullied at school, who believes he is on a magical surf holiday and not on the run with his drug dealer dad.

Life is like a box of chocolates for "Rockit".

Watch out for: Up and coming stunning Aussie (triple threat) model, actress, dancer Savannah La Rain as "Rockits" blooming love interest "Ash Ash" and find out how her character got her name.

All of this heartfelt storyline is backed by an Aussie BBQ soundtrack that rocks harder than a Bunnings sausage sizzle.

Unfortunately the finale of this movie is it's Achilles heel.

At its core the film feels like it's just a showcase for Director & Story Writer Tyler Atkins' calling card into Hollywood.

Shame because the surf cinematography is stunning and Australia is the winner as the backdrop.

However I can't forgive a movie that doesn't have a conclusive ending.

All screenplays need a beginning, a middle and an end.

It's not rocket surgery.

Aussie Export Movie

[shaun-35238 · 7/10 · 19 January 2023]

I'll start with the bad, not many people say tucker instead of food in Australia. Some of the slams was a put off, though it was made for the international market I assume.

Film location says Byron Bay here and yes some was but mostly filmed at Brunswick Heads and other places including The Stand at Coolangatta, so if the movie inspires you to book a holiday the main shops and Sails Motel are at Brunswick.

Cinematography is excellent and they take full advantage of the scenery on the NSW north coast & south QLD.

The acting is good for that type of Aussie movie.

Without adding spillers or repeating what other reviewers have written, it covers some social issues regarding parenting, and also Pottsville (yes there really is a place by that name and nature) lifestyle.

The movie is easy to watch, doesn't bog down anywhere but there is a severe language warning for younger viewers plus drug references.

Definitely worth a watch.

Childhood neglect in paradise

[edwin-wks · 6/10 · 23 January 2023]

This is a story of a boy who, neglected by his parents and lacking an anchor, turns to the ocean for solace and into himself for protection. He grows up into a man who is supposedly rooted in hippie mysticism and Sikhism, yet juxtaposed with high profile girlfriends and Hollywood projects. This autobiographical account of his early life has the same duality of being cathartic and being self-indulgent. Remove the neglect and there is little else of substance to the movie. Even the neglect fails to be compelling due to the idyllic setting.

Atkins wrote, directed and produced this movie, his first ever feature film. Whether it was budget constraints or Atkin's single-minded obsession with his own story, it was sorely in need of better writing and creative input. Luke Hemsworth and Rasmus King do a good job of portraying father and son, but their acting and chemistry alone are not enough to carry the movie. The film locations were lackluster and the cinematography does not capture the beauty of the east coast of Australia. In one scene, Rockit runs into Ash 126 km away from Byron Bay and yet the Gold Coast can be seen in the distance. The handling of the film is decidedly amateurish and the heavy reliance on the music of Ry X for the soundtrack did not help.

Great watch!

[cinmartel · 12 January 2023]

The title "Bosch & Rockit" combine two Frank Zappa' song titles, which per se is pretty cool.

Written and directed by actor/surfer Tyler Atkins, B&R is a charming story about a teenager growing up in the beautiful Australian landscape between his passion for surfing and two disfuncional parents. While the drama side of the story could have easily made this a heavy watch, Atkins infuses the whole movie with a charming and ethereal quality that is engrossing.

The surfing scenes and overall scenery are breathtaking. Luke Hemsworth (Bosch) and pro-surfer Rasmus King (Rockit) did a stellar job in protraying their characters, and while Hemsworth's talent is well-known to anyone by now, King's acting here is nothing short of a revelation. Photography is great and the soundtrack prompted me to look it up when the movie ended.

I read somewhere that Atkins stated during a Q&A that this film is essentially about the heavy consequences of the unconscious decisions that parents make. Well, that is exactly the first thing that you'll be pondering on by the end, but also and more importantly, it leaves us with an important and often overlooked truth: it is NOT what happens to us that define us, but it is how we respond to it.

Catch it if you can.

Fantastic locations !

[lucienm-60321 · 7/10 · 22 January 2023]

Likeable storyline of father trying to be a good father to his surf mad teenager son.

Mother is sadly having her own issues.

Unfortunately, the dark side of the father is his drug dealing and mixing with bad criminals.

The filming locations are really awesome along the East coast, especially around Byron bay and other fantastic coastal ocean locations !

Not sure whether the teenager actor was actually doing the surfing, however the surfing shots were believable.

Teenager character is also believable through good casting.

The teenage actor has such great, very long hair that girls would go crazy !

Enjoyable but lacking

[cthirlby · 4/10 · 7 November 2022]

Been waiting for this for a while as it was Australian exclusive! Got the chance to watch it and whilst I was enjoying the visuals of the movie with the beaches and surfing scenes which looked great the story didn't work for me. The characters felt bland and I didn't connect with them and the overall story with the ending it had was underwhelming and could've been more. There was a message they were trying to put across but it just wasn't working due to poor writing. I did enjoy watching it tho to some extent and again great surf cinematography!

NEED MORE CHARACTERS NEED MORE CHARACTERS NEED MORE CHARACTERS.

a few issues

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 18 May 2023]

Bosch (Luke Hemsworth) and his son Rockit (Rasmus King) are extremely close and obsessed surfers. Bosch and his friends grow and sell weed. His police buddy Keith comes by with an unknown corrupt partner who forces him to sell a package of coke. Deb (Isabel Lucas) falls for Bosch. Ash-Ash falls for Rockit.

Rasmus King seems to be around 16 here and I find his voice a little annoying. It's both his performance and the character as written. Rockit is acting like a clueless brat. He actually thinks that his father is a spy. It's a lot easier to take with a younger character. As for drama, the story takes away some of the tension when Keith solves their situation. I was expecting a showdown at the mother's house. I assume that Keith knows the location. There are some interesting moments. The puppy love is adorable. The story has potential. In the end, I would get a younger and better actor for Rockit.

Okay film weighed down by unlikable characters

[MK_Ultra_ · 5/10 · 21 November 2022]

Good story base but drawn out screenplay just weighs it down. The Dad's character is well acted and as much of an antihero as also a guy you want to have a beer with.

Rockit, the illiterate son who is in need of Adderall or a heavy dose of stun gun--almost ruins the stellar acting on his own. It's heavy handed in goofiness even when it should be time for some serious times. It's a serious fragmented family drama with beautiful backdrop of the Australian coastlines, coupled with fantastic surf footage isn't lost but the child actor and his heavy dose of shrill just ruined what appeared to be a troubled but unique father son as "buds" story arc. The music/score was also distracting and intrusive seemingly happening every 90 seconds at that-- with sappy music blaring over what could be reflective character moments.

5.5/10.

Fantastic Aussie cinema

[Chris_Mac_25 · 10/10 · 22 October 2022]

Just a great Aussie movie. Imperfect characters interacting with the best Australia has to offer as a scenic backdrop. I couldn't find a weak point or character, and the ending left me wanting more but also glad that the future of the characters was up to my own speculation.

Rockit, Bosch, Ash-Ash and Sacks from Blue Heelers are fantastic

The surf and coastal towns showcase the best Australia has to offer, and it was fantastic trying to pick the locations.

Do yourself a favour and watch a great Aussie flick that doesn't try and get preachy or lost in wokeness.

Purple Monkey Dishwasher (Simpsons reference for word count)

story of an aussie family

[ksf-2 · 7/10 · 12 July 2023]

In roku, this is listed as ocean boy, but in imdb, it's bosch and rockit. One of the many hemsworths! He and his son (bosch and rockit) are all about the surfing. But things are getting complicated. Rockit is getting bullied and hates school. Dad seems to be getting deep into drugs. Mom is missing from the scene. So when a fire threatens to expose bosch's growing operation, he and rockit hit the road fast. And go for a little vacation on the beach. At least that's what he tells rocky. Who may or may not believe it.... he's pretty street smart. But we all know it's not going to end well if they catch up with bosch. Slow, mournful, graceful music when they go surfing. Beautiful outdoor scenes of australia... new south wales, according to imdb. It's good. A study of how families sometimes come apart at the seams when people make really bad decisions. Hemsworth is listed as one of the producers. Written and directed by tyler atkins.

Wow. Better than expected.

[Phil_M_A_Kerr · 10/10 · 24 August 2022]

Read the What Walt's Watching review then add my bit: I thought the ending was great. It was the right choice for a movie about a kid. His life is just opening up to him.

For those who've watched Point Break (the OG) & North Shore - movies with surfing in them have come a long way since editing goofy-footed stunt doubles into the action.

Amazing Aussie film!

[eleisha_is_fullysik · 9/10 · 22 August 2022]

Went into this not expecting much and left feeling so many emotions! Took me on an emotional roller coaster. Laughs, tears, sadness, love! I highly recommend this film. Luke Hemsworth was unreal and the child was great, can't wait to see future projects with him in them.

Wow! What a film!!

[nickbamf · 10/10 · 12 April 2023]

What an amazing film!! Amazing cinematography, stunning sunsets! This is a once in a lifetime film that makes you feel warm inside like putting a sweatshirt on straight out of the dryer when it's cold out! I am a father and have a son, we both surf and watching this inspires me to ensure I stay fit and in good shape so I am ready when he gets old enough. So great!! When the father tries to hide what his plans are he realizes his mistake was not being fully honest with his son and instead makes him believe a lie. No wonder this is based off a true story as it is so realistic and the father and son in this film did an amazing job of playing their characters. What's the point of even having film critics that didn't even watch the film, what a waste of time and energy to write a post about something you obviously have no idea what you are taking about. Cheers everyone! Stay classy, and surf every chance you get!!!

Surfs up...down under

[shagee7977 · 10/10 · 2 February 2023]

Director/co-writer Tyler Atkins brings us Ocean Boy. In his directional debut he scores big. Casting has a lot do with this. And Rasmus King also debuts with this film. This young actor is amazing and a joy to watch. He is a natural and he really becomes the character of Rockit.

The movie starts off telling us that it's inspired by true events. How much is true is unknown but it's a very well made movie that has you feeling for the characters. Knowing that it supposedly based on true events make it even more entertaining.

The story is about a father named Bosch (Luke Hemsworth) and son running from the law. The son has no idea what's going on and just think him and his dad are having a blast surfing in exotic Byron Bay.

The reason they are on the run is that the dad is a marajuana harvester and dealer. He is protected and not bothered by the cops so life is good. Until a detective (Martin Sacks) wants more for himself. He got some columbine high grade coke from a busted dealer and wants Bosch to sell it.

He tries not not get involved but has no choice. And out of control brush fire is heading to the farm and in his haste to get all his belongings out he destroys the coke by accident in a ceiling fan mishap.

So he grabs his sun promising a really cool surf vacation . Rockit lives and breathers surf and asks no questions.

He finds love (Savannah La Rain) and happiness getting to spend so much time with his dad surfing. But when things start closing in on him he panics and thinks it's better to take his son to live with his mom (Leeanna Walsman).

The whole cast is fun to watch and make a very fun movie on what could have been a very dark subject. Hemsworth nails the part and really has a heart and a great dad but in a bad situation.

Cinematography by Ben Nott and Shane Fletcher are worth mentioning. When you're in an exotic location you need to utilize and take advantage of it. These guys on land sea achieve that and is well noted.

Atkin and Drue Metz screenplay is really good but couldn't have been played out better than this great cast.

Amazing wonderful story with incredible sound track and videography

[danielmorgadoc · 10/10 · 28 March 2024]

Wow! If this isn't a 10 out of 10, you should check if you still have a heart or at least a pulse. No words can describe the depth of this movie and if you don't get it, I cant help you. The intertwined aspects of a father's love for his son and the son's admiration for his disfunctional but overly admired father is mesmerizing. Add the blossoming young boy's path of discovery as he finds first love with a supportive lass and you have the ingredients for an amazing and heartwarming story set against a backdrop of high quality soundtrack and eye popping videography. This film exceeds on so many levels, it must be experienced to be truly appreciated.