Shadows on the Wall | Young Woman and the Sea

Young Woman and the Sea

dir Joachim Ronning
scr Jeff Nathanson
prd Jerry Bruckheimer, Chad Oman, Jeff Nathanson
with Daisy Ridley, Tilda Cobham-Hervey, Stephen Graham, Jeanette Hain, Kim Bodnia, Sian Clifford, Christopher Eccleston, Glenn Fleshler, Olive Abercrombie, Lilly Aspell, Alexander Karim, Alex Haskell
release US/UK 31.May.24 24/US Disney 2h09

Is it streaming?

Beautifully produced with first-rate period design and a swelling Amelia Warner score, this film recounts the compelling true story of record-breaking swimmer Trudy Ederle. Director Joachim Ronning sharply captures the lively energy of the 1920s sporting world, including staggering sexism running through society. So while the schmaltz sometimes swells to corny levels, shifting the facts to add Hollywood-style flourishes, this is a riveting portrait of an important icon.

Surviving measles against the odds as a child in 1914 New York, Trudy (Abercrombie) is determined to do things only boys are allowed to do, like swim with her sister Meg (Aspell). Years later, Meg (now Cobham-Hervey) joins a new women's swim team, with Trudy (now Ridley) as an assistant. But the tenacious Trudy is a fierce competitor, gaining global recognition and a place on the Paris 1924 US Olympic team. Back home, she sets her sights on the English Channel, which no woman has ever managed to swim. Only five men have done it.

Challenging old-world views, the film depicts Trudy and Meg's mother (Hain) standing up to her sexist German-butcher husband (Bodnia), but Meg chooses to pursue a husband rather than continue swimming. A true trailblazer, Trudy hates how few options women have, so she and her coach Lotte (Clifford) set out to change the sport. No wonder Trudy is so annoyed when she's forced to accept a male trainer (Eccleston), who sabotages her. Although later she's encouraged by distance swimmer Bill (Graham), who recognises her tenacity.

Ridley brings steely intensity to the role, making Trudy likeable as she takes on this epic challenge: because of currents, Trudy had to swim nearly 50 miles to cross the 21-mile channel. With offhanded grit, Ridley makes her genuinely inspiring. Her camaraderie with Cobham-Hervey adds soul to the narrative. And several side roles are also vivid, most notably the always terrific Graham as the no-nonsense Bill. And Eccleston has plenty of presence in his spiteful role.

Period details are amusing, from the ignorant sexism to the way messages are conveyed in bottles and by pigeon. Although a melodramatic streak makes events feel simplistic, punching inspirational moments with overwrought emotion. While the narrative has been adjusted for a movie audience, at least the film skilfully portrays how Trudy relied on family and colleagues to accomplish something no one thought possible. Freed from obstacles, she became the first woman to cross the channel, and she did it two hours faster than the men who went before her.

themes, language 13.May.24

R E A D E R R E V I E W S

Still waiting for your comments ... don't be shy.