Andy Irons: Kissed by God (2018) User Reviews

A moving documentary which touches on today's society issues

[laurasomia · 7/10 · 3 September 2019]

I'll admit I had no idea this documentary was about more than Andy's surfing prowess before watching it... and that made my viewing of this documentary all the more poignant! The amount of detail and the number of testimonies helped paint the whole picture of this man's life and struggles... a beautifuly-crafted doc!

Fantastic movie. Definitely worth watching

[Fisherb-45-608802 · 9/10 · 15 February 2020]

Wow! Saw this today and it was gripping. The battles with Kelly Slater, the battles with his addictions, the battles with bipolar disorder.

Some great interviews with other surfers and with Andy's family and a lot of insight into the surfing culture of the early 2000's.

Also interesting seeing the battle between the Hawaiian surfer versus the California surfer.

Worth watching even if you are not a surfer.

Great Surf / mental struggle Must Watch

[megmasterscott · 7/10 · 27 April 2020]

Great insights into a great surfer Lots of extended personal video footage Great testimonials by those closest to him A must see for any human being, don't have to be a surf follower to be engrossed in this movie

Amazing Movie

[cebridgman · 10/10 · 11 September 2018]

This is the best documentary I've seen since Meru came out a few years back. It's increadibly powerful and will show you the highs and lows of Andy's amazing life. It also informs people about the opioid epidemic that is ruining individuals and their loved ones lives.

Perfect

[nik_mander · 10/10 · 14 September 2018]

As a huge Andy Irons fan fiend many years, I have been very sceptical about this docu/film. All I can say is wow, it's just perfect. Never again will you see this personal into a pro surfers life. So many unseen childhood video shows and pictures and stories from his school friends. Bruce and Lindie give the film an emotional feel and really tell the story of Andy's struggle through the years. 10/10 from me

10/10

[bfassnacht · 10/10 · 19 October 2018]

I was lucky enough to see this film early at the World Premier in NYC. I am a surfer and followed surfing from an early age but up until this film I have never seen a film go into such intimate detail to effectively tell a story about surfing and give an inside look at one of the best surfers in the world and the struggle that he went through behind the scenes. His brother, Bruce Irons, and his wife, Lyndie, do not hold back at all in describing the details of not only Andy's life, but also the life of a professional surfer. This is more than a surf film. It transcends surfing and is a story that everyone should see, as we have all know or have known someone who has dealt with mental illness and addiction.

A must

[meronj · 10/10 · 19 December 2018]

I grow up as a kid with a family member that had by polar, surfing at that time was the only thing that saved me . So for me this film is close to personal . Andy may you Rest In Peace

surfing rockstar

[v-56289 · 9/10 · 21 November 2020]

A documentary about a surfing rockstar with a tragic end. Interesting to hear the story and see the beautiful Hawaii sceneries, great waves... I can wait for the next time I can go surfing

A Beautiful Movie

[provencevie · 10/10 · 4 October 2019]

This was by far the most heartfelt beautiful and heartbreaking true story I have seen . My heart goes out to Bruce and Lindey and all of Andys family and friends. A must see.

Unbelievable

[tkalbaugh · 10/10 · 13 June 2020]

I grew up watching surfing in California. I'm only 7 years younger than Andy so he was extremely relevant in my life. To experience all of these guys and see them in this new way, was absolutely amazing. To be able to understand his life was outstanding. Dramatic, funny, and heartwarming all in one. A must watch for documentaries

Tragic waste

[brin-gotts · 10/10 · 30 May 2020]

Nothing beautiful about this story.

Guy who had it all but couldn't control a drug habit leaving a fatherless child and heartbroken wife.

Briilliant but utterly depressing film.

He wanted to make a film to deter kids from his mistakes, he may inadvertantly done so. I really hope so.

Touched a nerve

[joecolon69 · 10/10 · 2 March 2023]

My brother was diagnosed with bipolar disorder a few years ago and I myself feel I also suffer from bipolar disorder, though I was never told that by a physician. I know what it's like to go from having a great day to wanting to just end it all in a matter of minutes. I like Andy, turned to self medication (no opioids) to relieve the constant feeling of depression, anger and basically no self esteem.

Anyway enough about me, it's just utterly amazing how someone bipolar that is constantly self medicating with hard drugs can be a 3X world champion. It's an astonishing feat, I just wish he could have fought off the demons and lived a somewhat normal life.

RIP Andy, the pain is now gone.

Andy Irons is a surf legend...

[nicktusk · 10/10 · 14 June 2021]

Very inspirational, but sad film about the the life and death of Kaui local pro surfing star Andy Irons , older brother to Bruce Irons. He beat 6 time world champion Kelly Slater in the 2003 pipeline finals . The movie was filmed to show the audience and fans Andy's demons , narrated by his brother Bruce and wife Lyndie . When I first heard of Andy Irons I thought he was a good surfer , but just another Peter Mel looking type dude , who would compete against Kelly and lose . I was wrong . I remember watching and hearing about the pipe masters and how he won and beat Kelly. Little did I know or ever think that him and his brother used drugs and hard drugs at that . I've heard lots of stories of Hawaiians getting hooked on crystal meth and what not . Hearing about Andy's death was a tragedy. Even if you don't surf or follow the sport this is a very inspiring film to watch , especially if you suffer from mental disorders such as bipolar , anxiety and manic depression. The film entails the brothers youth , to their teens , and to the Andy's pro career . The ending is sad with a positive ending message . This is definitely one of the top surfing films of the post late 2010 pre 2020 covid era . This film and the one about Bethany, are probably the two best surf docs to watch . Enjoy !

Amazingly Honest & Powerful

[kckrausebiz · 10/10 · 20 September 2021]

As a lifelong lover of all things water and decades long SoCal surfer - who saw Andy surf@Sunset - this was a very powerful and brutally honest documentary. Portraying the yin & yang of someone as gifted, handsome and humble - while also innerly tormented - as Andy. He grew up on Kauai, in a small surf town with a supportive family and a younger brother. The brothers helped push each other to become successful world-class pro surfers. On the surface Andy was LIVIN' da DREAM most anyone would dream of. Getting paid to travel the world and surf the best breaks. While his home base was always there waiting for him - back in da Islands.

My only interaction with him was on the North Shore during his 3rd in a row world title run. He was with his small posse of surfers and patiently held the door open for my wife. As someone who has empathy for famous/well known people I did not bother him and we all went on our way.

His intense focus and drive, along with Kissed by God given talent made him the best competitive surfer in the world for years. Competing and beating the GOAT surfer Kelly Slater more than anyone else ever has. Slater says Irons reinvigorated his drive to compete and win again after years of totally dominating competitive surfing. Irons was an artistic genius in big barreling waves - to this day I have never seen anyone look so comfortable and at ease inside massive barrels such as Pipe/Teahupoo/Hanalei, that would easily kill 99% of us normal surfers.

While on land he had trouble controlling his emotional ups & downs - dealing with life away from the calming of our Mother Ocean. Any lifelong surfer can relate to the calming effect of communing with Mother Nature. In the end, the most talented humans often have trouble dealing with life away from their gift. Andy was an amazing human being and surfer - it is too bad he is gone so young.

First rate

[banhei · 9/10 · 25 January 2021]

I saw Andy Irons place his feet in cement at the Huntington Beach Surfing Walk of Fame and found his somewhat bashful manner endearing. I knew nothing of his struggles and was surprised when I learned of his death. This movie reveals his struggles along with his triumphs intelligently and interestingly. It's a well done documentary by any measure. And has some fantastic surfing sequences!