Tells the story of long distance swimmer Diana Nyad (Annette Bening) who decides, in her sixties, to swim from Cuba to the Florida Keys. In her fight against the great distance, sharks and jelly fish, she is supported by a team including best friend and trainer Bonnie (Jodie Foster) and ship captain John (Rhys Ifans).
Whilst the sporting film elements around the will she, won't she question are interesting they don't get the heart pumping as much as they should do. What makes this enjoyable though is the central performances. Bening has a tough role but manages, despite Nyad being annoyingly determined and stuffed to the brim with self importance to make her still a character to be admired, even liked. Foster's role is more down to earth, but she is brilliant here having to stay strong and loving for her friend whilst wanting to strangle her. Finally, nice to see a more subdued Rhys Ifans who fits in here very nicely with a good turn. I'm not sure that completely ignoring the well publicised controversy that followed Nyad's ambitions sits well with me, but overall whilst it's not going to win any awards it's still worth catching.
Whilst the sporting film elements around the will she, won't she question are interesting they don't get the heart pumping as much as they should do. What makes this enjoyable though is the central performances. Bening has a tough role but manages, despite Nyad being annoyingly determined and stuffed to the brim with self importance to make her still a character to be admired, even liked. Foster's role is more down to earth, but she is brilliant here having to stay strong and loving for her friend whilst wanting to strangle her. Finally, nice to see a more subdued Rhys Ifans who fits in here very nicely with a good turn. I'm not sure that completely ignoring the well publicised controversy that followed Nyad's ambitions sits well with me, but overall whilst it's not going to win any awards it's still worth catching.