“True Spirit” : A Proof That Life Moves Like Waves

The movie True Spirit truly proves the idea that “life’s like waves.” No matter where we are in the world, whether we’re living a life of luxury or struggling on the streets, time is never the same for anyone. There are highs and there are lows. And somewhere in between all these waves, the most important thing is giving birth to our dreams, nurturing them, and eventually chasing them with everything we’ve got. That’s exactly what Jessica sets out to do in the True Spirit Movie. Her dream is to sail across the world, to circle the globe on water and not just that, to do it as the youngest sailor ever. And let’s be clear, this wasn’t some random late-night overthinking or a two-day daydream. This was a real dream. From a very young age, she had it all mapped out, how she would study, how she’d learn sailing alongside, and when she’d finally take off on the water to follow her dream.

Now, the storyline in a nutshell is this: Jessica wants to sail around the world, she works extremely hard to make it happen, faces several conflicts and hurdles along the way, and eventually succeeds. Those twists and turns in between are what make the movie engaging, keeping the audience hooked till the end. And don’t worry, I’m not giving any spoilers.

If we talk about the concept development and characterization, every phase of the story and each character were inspiring. One of the best things about the film’s concept is the supportive portrayal of parents. Not once does the story drift into unnecessary romance or show any ‘love life’ for Jessica, which is actually refreshing. In fact, the movie beautifully highlights the role of a teacher or a mentor, too. 

Another striking point that hits hard is this, even though Jessica is living her dream, sailing through her goal, she’s all alone during the journey. Yes, she stays connected through her phone, but for more than 200 days, she doesn't physically feel anyone’s presence. Just imagine being inside a boat in the middle of nowhere, with nothing but water all around. No humans in sight. On one side, there’s the joy of being close to your life goal, and on the other, there’s this bittersweet loneliness, wishing there was someone there to witness this beautiful journey, to love you, to scold you even. But that’s what this movie teaches us to balance those emotions and move forward regardless. There are moments when even her trainer suggests giving up. But Jessica refuses to. Even with her dyslexia, she manages to apply everything she’s ever learned about sailing in the toughest of situations. She doesn't do things right. She does put things off that she shouldn't. And yet, she still pushes through. That’s what makes her journey raw, real, and relatable.

The movie also paints a sharp and accurate picture of the media industry. It's two-faced nature, its obsession with drama, and its quick judgments.

When it comes to characters, apart from her parents, trainer, and three siblings, there could’ve been a friend outside her family circle, that angle was missing. Also, I felt there was no need to include three siblings. One or two could have served the narrative just as well. And now comes the part that genuinely hurt me. When Jessica finally returns home to Australia after sailing around the world, we see everyone. Prime Minister, media, public, parents, family, all welcoming her with love and applause. But not a single shot of her mentor! No moment of gratitude, no recognition of their role in her success. That was a major flaw in the story development. Maybe it was intentional. There’s likely a reason behind it, which I’d rather not reveal here. You’ll understand more when you watch the film yourself.

“Achieving it is just the beginning." 

Talking about the technical aspects, the opening scenes were quite well done. Her childhood and family background are shown through small frames, and then we’re taken to her present-day boat life. The scenes with the song “Walking on a Dream” especially stood out as very relatable and engaging, helping to hook the audience from the beginning. The ocean shots, the close-ups during storms, and while sailing were quite powerful. But honestly, I felt there weren’t enough wide shots, and the few that were there looked a bit artificial. Also, the sailing process and learning journey weren't shown in much detail, so the film leans more toward a philosophical tone rather than a technical one.

Still, since the movie is based on a true story, its emotional depth and realism shine through. The film name, True Spirit, itself feels powerful. And the movie’s most memorable message is, “Achieving your dream is hard, but living with it afterward is equally challenging.” That line hits home. Because it applies to every part of life. To stay grounded in such moments, you need the support of your loved ones and trust in yourself. Sometimes, one of these might be missing. That’s just life. And that’s what teaches us to move forward. Otherwise, the boat of life may drown in the dark waters of depression and loneliness. So, keep sailing, not just with the flow, but with passion, with faith, and with true spirit.