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The Ride

Name: The Ride
Director: Nathan Kurosawa
Released: 2003
Duration: 90 min

Representation Score

4.1/10

Fair

2003

Director

Nathan Kurosawa

Runtime

90 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The film uses a time-travel framework to create a cross-cultural dialogue between a modern surfer and a historical Hawaiian figure. Its primary strength lies in the decentering of the Western protagonist, allowing indigenous cultural values to shape the story. While the film excels in ethnic and cultural representation, it falls short in gender and LGBTQ+ diversity. The narrative is heavily male-centric, focusing on the spiritual growth of two men rather than a broader social spectrum. Ultimately, the work succeeds as a speculative historical drama that challenges modern ego through the lens of traditional Hawaiian culture.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Ride have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any queer narratives or non-straight identities. The story focuses solely on the relationship between the two male leads.

How does The Ride portray gender?

Fair

The story centers on male protagonists, emphasizing the development of masculinity. It lacks visible roles for women and does not challenge patriarchal structures.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Ride?

Good

The narrative centers on Duke Kahanamoku, a person of color, who is given historical ability to act and mentorship. This breaks away from typical Western-centric sports stories.

How does The Ride represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The film highlights indigenous wisdom over modern commercialism. It uses a historical Hawaiian setting to critique modern individualism and Western approaches to sports.

Does The Ride include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no mention of neurodivergence, physical disabilities, or mental health conditions within the narrative.

Present on Screen

Centers a person of color as a mentor and historical figure.
Uses indigenous wisdom to critique modern Western individualism.
Disrupts conventional Western-centric sports stories through historical ability to act.

Limited or Absent

Lacks women's ability to drive the story and diverse gender representation.
Does not include LGBTQ+ narratives or queer identities.
No visible representation of disabilities or neurodivergence.

Official Synopsis

When cocky, young surfing champion David Monroe wipes out on a big wave, he slips back in time to 1911 Hawaii. Washing up on Waikiki beach, he discovers the true spirit of surfing when he is befriended by a young Hawaiian beachboy not yet known to the world - the future Olympic and surfing legend Duke Kahanamoku.

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