“Young Woman and the Sea” is based on the true story of Trudy (full name Gertrude) Ederle, the first woman to swim the English Channel successfully. Although this 22-mile swim (finished in 7 hours and 11 minutes) from Battery Park to Sandy Hook happened just under 100 years ago, it is still a relevant accomplishment today. This record-making swim stood in place for 81 years, that is just how impressive and daunting a swim across the English Channel is.
The film stars Daisy Ridley (Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Murder on the Orient Express) as Trudy Ederle the accomplished swimmer born to immigrant parents in New York City in 1905. Ridley steps right into the bigger-than-life role with ease. Although the film spends a good deal of time on the record-breaking swim, it also deals with the trials and tribulations of a woman athlete in a man’s world. Sure, there are other hurdles Ederle endured, like a very near-death experience with measles (which eventually took her hearing later in life). Ridley’s performance is enhanced by a stellar ensemble cast which includes Tilda Cobham-Hervey, Stephen Graham, Kim Bodnia, Christopher Eccleston, and Glenn Fleshler.
Director Joachim Rønning(Maleficent: Mistress of Evil) creates a masterful world that brings the audiences back to the 1920s. The sets and costumes are spot-on and add to the film’s atmosphere and appeal. The whole family can watch this movie together without worrying about vulgarity and handling the source material with care is a plus. Sure, there are a few instances of tension and embellishment added here and there, but this is a movie, not a documentary.
Back to the supporting cast for a minute, Ederle’s mother Gertrude Ederle (who was the one to get Trudy into swimming, her father was against it) played by Jeanette Hain, is a strong-spirited woman who passes this attribute onto her children. Hain embodies the motherly figure, using looks and glares rather than words.
Trudy’s sister Margaret Ederle played by Tilda Cobham-Hervey is the ever-present older sister who is steadfast in her support of Trudy. Cobham-Hervey conveys such adoration throughout the film, you’d think that she and Ridley are related. There would be no record without the help of these two strong women in her life. Others also support the swimmer through this fantastic journey, but the stand-out two are the sister and mother.
It’s nice to see a film deal with actual issues of the time like sexual discrimination and oppression, but not constantly hit the audience over the head with it. It is ever-present, but not in a “look at me” way.
Young Woman and the Sea is a story of inspiration, never giving in to conformism put on you and a story of overcoming illness. It’s also a story that deals with issues of the time, mainly sexual oppression, which many still deal with today. The film is one that the whole family can enjoy and possibly learn from. The message of strength and never giving up. This ground-breaking athlete deserves the praise she gets in this well-made film.
YOUNG WOMAN AND THE SEA Streams on DISNEY+ ON July 19
