Too often, attempts to create wholesome movies that are appropriate for the whole family leave viewers rolling their eyes and wondering why moral, value-based media depicts characters as being hokey and trite. For the most part, Soul Surfer steers clear of the hoke. There are a few moments, especially early in the film, when the banter among the youth feels forced and cheesy. However, the overall quality and message of the movie, which is based on surfer Bethany Hamilton’s true story of surviving a tiger shark attack, is engaging and refreshingly rich.

With an all-star cast that includes seasoned professionals such as Helen Hunt, Dennis Quaid, Kevin Sorbo, Carrie Underwood and AnnaSophia Robb who stars as Bethany, Soul Surfer will resonate with viewers who have suffered their own losses and emerged from them altered, albeit stronger than before.

Opening with “Blessed Be the Name,” viewers are reminded throughout the movie that the Lord gives and takes away. While Bethany loses an arm, she gains resilience and perseverance that is more than inspiring. Her determination to get back on her board shows a fearless young woman who refuses to let life’s sharks steal her faith in God. With the support of her youth minister (played by Underwood) and family — mother, father and two brothers, all of whom are surfers — it’s clear that managing loss and regaining one’s balance is easier to do when we are reminded of God’s goodness and know we have close others supporting us.

Should you take your students to see this movie? Yes. Should you talk about the character Bethany displays? Absolutely. Should you come away reminded that when one member of your family or group suffers loss, the whole group should walk through that loss together? Without a doubt. Finally, should the students with whom you work feel empowered to catch their next wave? Well, go see for yourself.