Andy Irons: Kissed by God

Most people that have heard of Andy Irons only know that he was a world champion professional surfer. But what most people do not know were the daily struggles that Andy Irons had to deal with. Andy Irons: Kissed By God takes you into the life of the pro-surfer including his many ups and downs.

The documentary presents interviews from Andy’s closest friends and family, as well as photos from childhood and home videos from his adulthood, with highlights of his pro surfing career. Those being interviewed include his brother Bruce Irons who is also a pro-surfer, legendary pro-surfer Kelly Slater, Andy’s wife Lyndie Irons, his parents, and many others.

When these kinds of documentaries are made, there may be concern that if the family will be truthful or if the family will just show the audience what they want them to see. If you have any of those concerns mentioned above before watching the documentary, I’ll tell you to throw those concerns out of the window. This is one of the most honest documentaries that I have ever come across.

“…takes you into the life of the pro-surfer including his many ups and downs.”

Many unfortunate issues that Andy Irons had to deal with come to light through the stories told by those closest to Andy. The issues begin during Andy’s childhood when his family discovered that he had a learning disability. Andy’s learning disability would worsen when his parents divorced. This was the time in which the Irons brothers would surf the most. Later on in life, Andy would party way too much when touring as a pro-surfer at a young age. The partying led to alcoholism and drug addiction.

After losing a major competition, Andy isolated himself. He became a darker person and his family described him as not himself. There was a serious reason behind Andy’s mental state. Andy was diagnosed with bipolar disorder which is something Andy and his family had no idea of until he was diagnosed in adulthood. Andy would struggle with bipolar depression and addiction all the way up into his final days. His years of addiction would ultimately catch up to him and would then be the cause of his death in 2010.

“…a kind of documentary that I think could help change somebody’s life…”

Andy Irons: Kissed By God is a documentary that does not hold back much like Andy Irons’ did not. Andy Irons’ story needed to be told and by telling it it could possibly help others that are dealing with the same struggles. The documentary is honest, it is emotional, and it is a kind of documentary that I think could help change somebody’s life, just like Andy Irons wanted. His friends and family definitely did right by his name and turned a tragedy into something positive.

An interesting fact is that Thor’s Chris Hemsworth has a producing credit in this documentary. But Chris Hemsworth is only a small part of why Andy Irons: Kissed By God was outstanding. From the Irons estate to directors Steve Jones and Todd Jones, this documentary deserves my very first perfect score here on Film Threat.

Andy Irons: Kissed By God (2018) Directed by Steve Jones, Todd Jones. Starring Bruce Irons, Lyndie Irons, Kelly Slater,

10 out of 10 stars.