The art of swimming is an important life skill. It requires agility, muscle strength, and persistence. Daisy Ridley possesses all these skills in The Young Woman and the Sea. Directed by Joachim Ronning, the film is presented with the message of never backing down. The true story of Trudy Ederle, played by Ridley, has a compelling momentum. The era of the 1924 Olympics creates a galore of amazement. However, in some ways, the film is only slightly above average. Challenges with the depth of the story and associated obstacles cause it to drag at times.
I had to take swimming lessons as a child, and I forgot how much effort it takes to learn this life skill. Becoming a skilled swimmer who can handle deep water and currents has life-changing benefits. The film begins with Trudy and her sister Margaret Ederle, played by Tilda Cobham-Hervey. They are the daughters of a German butcher, Henry Ederle, played by Kim Bodnia. Women as athletes in this era were frowned upon. Trudy sets a significant goal which is to swim across the English Channel. She believes this test of her endurance will give her life meaning.
The dynamics of the film make it a bit shaky. At times, it becomes more about the political issues and the use of computer-generated imagery (CGI) for dramatic effect. The acting is superb. The scenes where Trudy is dealing with what is given to her for her impossible task are particularly strong. Her first coach is Charlotte played by Sian Clifford, but she is not able to use her. The coach assigned to her is Jabez Wolffe,played by Christopher Eccleston. James Sullivan, played by Glenn Fleshler, oversees her contracts and sponsorship. Finally, there is Stephen Graham, played by Bill Burgess, the sailor who follows the progress of Trudy’s swimming. These characters and their issues result in mixed dynamics involving politics as well as how to handle an array of trials and errors.
The Young Woman and the Sea dives into surreal moments of peril. With water conditions and obstacles along the way, the story sometimes feels like a version of The Perfect Storm. The waves and the currents are too Hollywood-like. Overall, the film captures the imagination with the human element and persistent pursuit of a life accomplishments.
Even though I found the technical aspects lacking, this is Ridley’s most authentic role yet. She plays an icon whose story’s poke to the world. Her experience proves that it is not easy to achieve success the first time around. The inspiration of never quitting is where I found the film to be most invigorating. Ridley’s performance is an important reminder that being fearless is a key aspect of becoming a winner.
I left the movie with bodies of water on my mind due to the unpredictable obstacles Trudy was up against. The mist, the cold, and the currents added to her dangerous journey in The Young Woman and the Sea. Three out of four stars.
Movies with Tarek 