The story of competitive swimmer Trudy Ederle, who, in 1926, was the first woman to ever swim across the English Channel.
Chuck says:
It was referred to as “The Hardest Test in All of Sport.” Only five men had succeeded in accomplishing the feat and 12 others had perished in their attempts. To describe the conditions surrounding this challenge as “brutal” would be a vast understatement, the weather – everchanging, the temperatures – frigid. Yet, none of this proved daunting enough for Trudy Ederle as stepped into water of the English Channel on August 6th, 1928, as she attempted to become the first woman to swim the treacherous 21-mile stretch of open water. At the time, the air temperature was 56 degrees. The water temperature was 55.
Joachim Ronning’s “Young Woman and the Sea,” recounts the events leading up to this incredible accomplishment, both an inspiring biopic as well as a vivid reminder of the stratified era of sports we lived with a mere 100 years ago. Sporting a consistently astonishing production design, as well as a stirring performance from Daisy Ridley, this Disney production hits every inspirational beat you expect it to but does so with a sense of conviction worthy of its inspirational heroine.
Ederle was raised in New York City, the daughter of German immigrants, during the early part of the 20thcentury. And while her father sustained the household with his income as a butcher, it was her mother, Gertrude (Jeanette Hain) who ruled the roost, her steely strength and determination qualities Trudy (Ridley) and her sister Margaret (Tilda Cobham-Hervey) would come to emulate.
This would prove necessary for them to succeed in the arena they ultimately find themselves in. At this time, women’s sports were frowned upon, seen as much as a novelty as a dangerous proposition. Supposing that women’s hearts might explode if these delicate creatures were to overexert themselves, they faced an uphill battle in their efforts to compete and for recognition.
Trudy found herself having to overcome greater odds as she had suffered from a severe bout of measles. As a result, the Ederle’s were told she suffered a greater chance of total hearing loss through prolonged exposure to water. This trifling matter would not dissuade her.
The script by Jeff Nathanson, based on the book by Glenn Stout, is constructed like most sports movies, as it recounts Ederle’s early struggles, her initial successes, later setbacks and ultimate triumph with clockwork precision. Yet, it’s the inclusion of the social injustices female athletes had to contend with that proves not only inspirational but fascinating. These dual narrative hooks prove irresistible, the story sweeping us away despite the familiarity of the narrative.
Ederle proves equally fascinating, her determination and stalwart nature genuinely inspiring. What she and her teammates on the 1924 Olympics team had to endure seems hard to believe while the petty nature of the men whose paths she crosses seems all too familiar. The boorish James Sullivan (Glenn Flesher), head of the Olympic Committee, masks his chauvinism with an air of concern for the health of Ederle and her peers, while the coach Trudy is saddled with, Jabez Wolffe (Christopher Eccelstein), goes out of his way to thwart her efforts, jealous of her success.
Ridley is wonderful here, the actress finally getting a role she can sink her teeth into as well as display the quiet strength she so capably projects. She demands our attention when she appears on the screen, drawing us in with her ability to convey the character’s sense of determination with a glance or grin. Yet, there’s a vulnerability present as well, Ridley and all concerned sure to show Ederle’s fear. Her determination to overcome this, makes her feats all the more impressive.
Combining digital wizardry with physical sets, the production team led by Nora Takacs Ekberg is truly astounding. Whether replicating the tattered environs of a Big Apple neighborhood, the wonder of Coney Island or the majesty of a turn-of-the-century ocean liner, these artists create a sense of historical space that transports the viewer, immersing them in cinematic world that makes the past come alive.
As such, it’s unfortunate that Disney initially gave this film a limited theatrical release, it playing only two weeks in the country’s major markets. While uncertainty at the box office is a concern, this is a movie meant to be seen on the big screen, both for its artistic qualities as well as the nature of its story. Solid family fare, that’s not animated, is in short supply, and by quickly shepherding the film to Disney+, the Mouse House is doing a disservice to Ronning, his crew, and the filmgoing public as well.
I suppose we should be grateful streaming services provide films with an immediate outlet upon which they can play for a prolonged period of time. Still, this distribution strategy seems shortsighted and only serves to undercut the inherent power of movies like “Woman.” Be that as it may, the sentiment of this tale comes through no matter how it’s seen, a testament to the artistry of all involved as well as Ederle’s story, a nearly forgotten athlete who blazed trails for women long before they were born, her legacy extending long after she lived.
3 1/2 Stars
