Waiting for Lightning (2012)

Cast: Danny Way, Gale Webb, Tony Hawk, Travis Pastrana, Mary O'Dea

Director: Jacob Rosenberg

Running Time: 80 min.

Synopsis: Niche fests and cable networks will be the most hospitable environs for "Waiting for Lightning," a slickly produced, unabashedly celebratory pic about professional skateboarder Danny Way. Produced in association with DC Shoes (a company co-founded by Damon Way, the subject's brother), "Lightning" alternates between extended stretches of life-storytelling, done with archival footage and talking-heads interviews, and the buildup to Way's 2005 attempt, at age 31, to jump over the Great Wall of China on his skateboard (with the help of really, really big ramps). Rosenberg traces Way's rise from broken-home survivor to international celebrity, drawing upon testimonials from family and friends including fellow skateboarding icon Tony Hawk. Though far from psychologically probing, the pic does suggest that Way's lifelong obsession with pushing himself to the limit, and beyond, may stem from an urge to transcend childhood traumas and personal demons. On the other hand, "Lightning" also indicates he may just enjoy doing things that are totally gnarly.