Starring AnnaSophia Robb, Dennis Quaid, and Helen Hunt. Rated G.

Soul Surfer is based on the true story of Bethany Hamilton, a teenager who lost virtually all of her left arm to a four-metre-plus tiger shark while surfing in the waters of Hawaii. Expecting Gidget Meets Jaws? Think again. The pivotal shark attack is over in a couple of seconds. Deftly avoiding any hint of cheap theatrics, this is the sort of carefully orchestrated vehicle that has “inspirational” written all over it.

The wholesome Bethany (AnnaSophia Robb) is portrayed as a devout Christian who spends all of her free time riding the waves and strumming the ukulele. The closest she comes to teenaged rebellion? Intent on winning a surfing competition, she chooses to stay home and train instead of going on an overseas aid mission with her youth group. Okay, so she’s not exactly a bad seed. But Robb—who approaches her role with a kind of gritty sincerity—makes us see more than just a squeaky clean kid.

Despite the fact that isolated moments play like a Christian propaganda film, director and cowriter Sean McNamara does his best to underplay the religious content. It certainly helps that Bethany’s parents are played by Dennis Quaid and Helen Hunt, who add a welcome touch of playfulness to their roles. Other members of the cast have less success. Sonya Balmores adds precious little tension as the obligatory surfer bitch who longs to outshine Bethany. And singer Carrie Underwood—making her acting debut as Bethany’s youth-group counsellor—comes across like an evangelistic Barbie doll.

Still, in the cinematic age of horny teenaged vampires, there’s something moderately likable here. The film concludes with the real-life Bethany looking endearingly geeky and thanking Jesus for her survival. Say what you will, but I’ve seen far less authentic moments at the movies.