From their Oscar-winning documentary “Free Solo,” directors Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi dive into the narrative feature realm. Diana Nyad’s incredible story is an appropriate transition for the documentarians. It’s a “not humanly possible” story that painstakingly and triumphantly plays out throughout the film. Having legacy actors like Oscar-nominated Annette Bening in the lead role and two-time Oscar winner Jody Foster in supporting takes much of the guesswork out of using actors for the first time. While it might not be career bests from either actor, Bening’s specific acting talents are perfectly in line for hardheaded Diana Nyad. Foster’s performance as the encouraging, cheerful, bubbly, but stern best friend offers new territory for the actress.
In 1978, at 28, Diana Nyad (Bening) attempted to swim from Cuba to Key West. She swam inside a shark cage and made it 73 of the roughly 110 miles before being pulled out of the water. It wasn’t until 2010, at the age of 60, that Nyad decided she would try again. As she begins training, she enlists her best friend Bonnie Stoll (Foster) as her trainer and moral supporter. Years of trials, failures, and near-death experiences push their friendship to the brink. Diana expects time, money, and devotion from her small team without giving them much in return. A childhood victim of sexual abuse, Diana would rather die trying to achieve the impossible than sit around aging. “You’re never too old to chase your dream.”
There are elements to “Nyad” that make it feel like a sports movie. The formulaic, against all odds, American sports films that have a coach, players, and that triumphant ending. Yet, As Foster’s tan, muscular legs dangle on the pool’s ledge where a wrinkly (makeup and prosthetics) Bening is swimming, this entire world we are watching circles around the friendship of these two women. Those genre stereotypes fade away, and you can witness how Vasarhelyi and Chin break into refreshing territory. The editing by Christopher Tellefsen (“A Quiet Place”) is not only pleasing but also essential to the way “Nyad” functions. By implementing actual footage and flashbacks, “Nyad” is all pieced together in a way that informs, entertains, and creates just the right number of pauses for the audience.
Not only does “Nyad” distance itself from rudimentary sports films or biopics, but the filmmakers understand the “action” is in the water. Shark attacks, storms, and box jellyfish keep us in suspense during the 60-hour swim. Some critics of the film have commented on how unlikeable Diana is as a person/character in her uncompromising determination. Yet those same voices would have been silent when we see a similar, equally ambitious male sports figure. While “Nyad” isn’t likely to factor into the already competitive awards race, there is an outside chance for Foster in “Best Supporting.” This story about perseverance and friendship is one you shouldn’t skip.
Final Thought
“Nyad” is an engaging, informative, and innovative crowd-pleaser with stand-out performances from Bening and Foster.