Done: John John Florence

Done: John John Florence is a 40-minute long exhilarating documentary from 2013, which provides a deep-dive into the life of the Hawaiian professional surfer - John John Florence. Directed by Blake Vincent Kueny, this movie captures the thrilling journey of the rising superstar John Florence, his brother Nathan Florence, and Ivan Florence as they navigate the choppy waters of professional surfing.

The film begins with a slow-paced introduction to the serene Hawaiian life led by John John Florence and his brothers. They are showcased as free spirits who have effortless command over the ocean waves. The film subtly narrates the everydayness of their lives amidst the mesmerizing Hawaiian landscape, allowing the audience to get a feel of the brothers’ profound love for the sea, and how being raised in a surfer's paradise shaped their dreams and ambitions.

John John Florence, overwhelmingly talented and just merely out of his teens at the time of the film's making, is the centerpiece of the documentary. A child prodigy in the surfing world, John steals the spotlight with his passion, his finesse, and his wizardry on the surfboard. The intimate footage of the routine grind of his life bears witness to how his surfing skills have been chiseled - a labor of love, dedication, and discipline.

Moreover, it's not just about one man’s passion for surfing. The film includes pieces of interviews from family, friends, and professional peers that lend insights into John John the person, not just the surfer. The nuggets of these interviews, tethered with clips of Florence on the surfboard, render a comprehensive image of the up-and-coming star in the world of surfing in 2013.

The film takes a deeper dive into John’s competitive journey, and his rise in the world of professional surfing is narrated through powerful visuals and behind-the-scenes footage of the major surf competitions worldwide. The seamless edits between his life on the beach and his performances on the world stage underscore the steep curve of learning and adaptation that John John transcends.

The audience is given an inside look at the challenges and pressures that come with pursuing professional sports. The inherent risks and injuries, the pressure of performing on the world stage, and the constant struggle to outshine oneself are touched upon in the film, presenting a realistic picture of the sport beyond its glamour.

Florence's brothers, Nathan and Ivan, aren’t just silent features in John John’s shadows. They are presented as professional surfers in their own right, each with their distinctive styles and career trajectories. Moments of their camaraderie and familial bonds experienced on the beaches of North Shore, Oahu come across as heart-warming and intimate.

Throughout the film, Florence’s uniquely smooth yet dynamic surfing style is on full display. Electrifying footage of Florence conquering mammoth waves, executing complex maneuvers, and beautifully flowing with the waves' ebb and flow completely absorb the viewer. Moments that capture Florence's radical aerial moves, especially, are nothing short of breathtaking.

The film's visual treat is complemented by an eclectic soundtrack that ranges from invigorating to calming, in sync with the tonal shifts in the narration and the surfing sequences.

Moreover, what sets apart Done: John John Florence from other sports documentaries is that it brings an artistic angle to a sports documentary. Cinematic shots, like aerial shots of Florence surfing, visually arresting underwater shots combined with stylish graphics, and slow-motion capture of Florence in action, give it an aesthetic appeal beyond a standard sports documentary.

In essence, Done: John John Florence is more than a surfing film - it's a portrait of a young man dedicated to mastering his craft and etching his name in the annals of surfing history. Through this film, you not only witness the birth and growth of a surfing legend but also get to live the Hawaiian surf life vicariously. It's a must-watch for surfing enthusiasts and non-surfers alike.