Surfwise

Ever feel like dropping out of the rat race? One guy did and this is his movie, or rather a look back to the 60s when he actually dropped out and took his wife and kids along in a 24-foot camper trailer so he could surf some cool waves. Before the 60s were over Dorian “Doc” Paskowitz had sired 11 children. Consider that gas was under a dollar a gallon and the logistics of such travel seem affordable. Also since Doc is now in his 80s and the kids grown adults the film acted as a bridge to reconcile the bad feelings that had torn the family apart.
Surwise demonstrates that even utopian dreams have a downside. Doc's Faustian bargain ends up driving his children away later in life. In the film Doc asks the camera point blank: "Why are you interviewing me? I'm a crazy Jew." But his brother reminds that Doc brought surfing to Israel. Being a medical professional Doc was able to piecemeal funds for his excursion at various rural clinics, yet one son recalls a moment when they literally were down to their last dime.
As Surfwise unfolds you are pelted with ambivalent feelings towards Doc. On one hand his escape from the direct effects of consumerism, on Doc, his wife and family, are commendable. The other side of the rainbow reveals the disassociation of Doc's nuclear unit. The parents were feeding the kids nuts and berries that they'd pick along the roadside. When they caught fish Doc would eat everything right down to the bones. The kids never knew anything better or different. Taking a cue from apes, Doc would eat what they ate. One of Doc's offspring recalls his rather neurotic attempts to date in school, and maintains that hearing his dad and mom having sex in the trailer every night did nothing to further his young romantic yearnings.
As a cautionary tale or a fable of mid-20th century life Surfwise holds your interest throughout. If you still want to go off the grid after watching this film at least you'll have a better idea of what roads to avoid.