October 20, 2023
FILM: NYAD
DIRECTED BY: JIMMY CHIN, ELIZABETH CHAI VASARHELYI
STARRING: ANNETTE BENING, JODIE FOSTER, RHYS IFANS
RATING: 4 out of 4 stars
By Dan Pal
The story of athlete Diana Nyad is one for the ages. At the age of 64 she swam from Cuba to Key West after four previous attempts and one very long thirty-year break from swimming. Filmmakers Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi were nominated for Oscars for their excellent documentary, 2018’s Free Solo, which was also about someone completely devoted to an almost unimaginable feat. This time, they have taken a different approach by creating a fictionalized version of the story based on Nyad’s memoir. The film is inspirational and a true crowd pleaser.
Annette Bening stars as Nyad who on her 60th birthday in 2010 decides she wants to try this improbable journey after failing to complete it some thirty years earlier. Her coach and best friend is Bonnie Stoll, played by Jodie Foster. The friendship between these two comes to life big time thanks to the great chemistry between the two actresses. Both are at the top of their game after decades in the business. Bening eschews all glamour and completely gives herself to the role in a powerhouse performance that is at once determined and also very physical. Foster adds warmth and humor in one of her best roles. She creates an incredibly endearing character that blends perfectly with what Bening is doing. Both should be nominated for Oscars for their roles.
It’s also nice to see a story where the relationship between two characters whose sexual orientations fall under the banner of LGBTQ does not factor into the storyline in any significant way. They are great friends that just happen to be lesbian. Romance is not part of the picture. Finding new challenges later in life is more important to both of them.
The filmmakers intercut actual documentary footage of Nyad’s own attempts at achieving her goal. Some of the narration used is that of actual Diana Nyad discussing her story. As such, one might question why documentary filmmakers would move toward a fictionalized narrative rather than just showing us all of the real-life footage. I suspect this is due to their interest in telling the full story rather than just relying on the film clips that are already available. As is they’ve created something that is major feat for the actresses while also being extremely compelling and entertaining for viewers.
The music used in the film is mostly pop/rock from the late 1960s and early 1970s which would have been about the time Nyad was coming into her own and breaking from some of the trauma of her childhood and teen years. The songs are strong, powerful, and reflective.
There are several moments in the film that had me jaw-dropped at some of the travails that Nyad must go through. From water currents to stinging jellyfish and hallucinations to death-defying storms, so many of the scenes are dramatically intense and edge of your seat thrilling. It’s amazing what Nyad had to go through and what she was ultimately able to accomplish.
Of course, that’s part of the joy and message of this film. It’s never too late to reach for a new goal. Nyad proves that it is possible to persevere under the harshest of conditions at any age.
Nyad played at the Chicago International Film Festival. It opens this week in limited theatrical release before premiering on Netflix on November 3rd.
FILM: NYAD
DIRECTED BY: JIMMY CHIN, ELIZABETH CHAI VASARHELYI
STARRING: ANNETTE BENING, JODIE FOSTER, RHYS IFANS
RATING: 4 out of 4 stars
By Dan Pal
The story of athlete Diana Nyad is one for the ages. At the age of 64 she swam from Cuba to Key West after four previous attempts and one very long thirty-year break from swimming. Filmmakers Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi were nominated for Oscars for their excellent documentary, 2018’s Free Solo, which was also about someone completely devoted to an almost unimaginable feat. This time, they have taken a different approach by creating a fictionalized version of the story based on Nyad’s memoir. The film is inspirational and a true crowd pleaser.
Annette Bening stars as Nyad who on her 60th birthday in 2010 decides she wants to try this improbable journey after failing to complete it some thirty years earlier. Her coach and best friend is Bonnie Stoll, played by Jodie Foster. The friendship between these two comes to life big time thanks to the great chemistry between the two actresses. Both are at the top of their game after decades in the business. Bening eschews all glamour and completely gives herself to the role in a powerhouse performance that is at once determined and also very physical. Foster adds warmth and humor in one of her best roles. She creates an incredibly endearing character that blends perfectly with what Bening is doing. Both should be nominated for Oscars for their roles.
It’s also nice to see a story where the relationship between two characters whose sexual orientations fall under the banner of LGBTQ does not factor into the storyline in any significant way. They are great friends that just happen to be lesbian. Romance is not part of the picture. Finding new challenges later in life is more important to both of them.
The filmmakers intercut actual documentary footage of Nyad’s own attempts at achieving her goal. Some of the narration used is that of actual Diana Nyad discussing her story. As such, one might question why documentary filmmakers would move toward a fictionalized narrative rather than just showing us all of the real-life footage. I suspect this is due to their interest in telling the full story rather than just relying on the film clips that are already available. As is they’ve created something that is major feat for the actresses while also being extremely compelling and entertaining for viewers.
The music used in the film is mostly pop/rock from the late 1960s and early 1970s which would have been about the time Nyad was coming into her own and breaking from some of the trauma of her childhood and teen years. The songs are strong, powerful, and reflective.
There are several moments in the film that had me jaw-dropped at some of the travails that Nyad must go through. From water currents to stinging jellyfish and hallucinations to death-defying storms, so many of the scenes are dramatically intense and edge of your seat thrilling. It’s amazing what Nyad had to go through and what she was ultimately able to accomplish.
Of course, that’s part of the joy and message of this film. It’s never too late to reach for a new goal. Nyad proves that it is possible to persevere under the harshest of conditions at any age.
Nyad played at the Chicago International Film Festival. It opens this week in limited theatrical release before premiering on Netflix on November 3rd.