Nyad

Plot

Diana Nyad has just turned 60. Once a star long distance swimmer, she decides to get back to what she did best, and try to achieve what she couldn’t 30 years ago – swim from Cuba to Florida. With the help of her best friend Bonnie she aims to achieve the near impossible feat.

Direction

Visually stunning at times, there are some impressive camera work both above and under the water. There are some incredible action sequences, especially during some of Diana’s swims.

Some of the distorted vision during Diana’s flashbacks, although significant to emphasise what she was feeling – are a little over used, I also didn’t love the hallucinations in the fourth swim, but I understand why it was included.

The cinematography, with amazing drone work is simply lovely.

There is also a great use of real-life footage, snipped with footage from the film.

Cast/Characters

Both Annette Bening and Jodie Foster as Bonnie give wonderful performances. I’ve reviewed them both recently (Bening in American Beauty and Foster in The Brave One) and these are polar opposites in those performances – and if not better. They’ve both aged gracefully and the characters needed that mature female for the roles. All the power to them, and both deserved their Oscar nods.

Rhys Ifans plays a pivotal role as Diana’s chief navigator the late John Bartlett. His American accent did sound a little artificial not being American himself, but he does a solid job and was well cast.

Screenplay/Setting/Themes

There are several uplifting themes within, including perseverance, teamwork and friendship.

Diana has several failures in her swims – her swim from thirty years prior, to the four swims she does in her ‘present’ day – and why each one failed (wrong medicine, jelly fish attack, and the thunderstorm).

Diana’s resilience is also hampered by her inability to acknowledge her team, who all quit on her due to her stubbornness (whether this actually happened or not, or was added to be more Hollywood).

Diana and Bonnie’s friendship is also one of the key strengths in the film, having once been a romantic couple, they decided to be friends instead – which is a stronghold that the film needs.

Overall

Lovely film, with lovely performances by the key leads. It is heart-warming, and uplifting – and an easy watch. A strong recommend.

4.5/5