Biographical drama starring Daisy Ridley. Born in New York in 1905, Trudy Ederle survives childhood illness and goes on to defy societal norms by pursuing her passion for swimming. After achieving success in local competitions, she decides to take on her biggest challenge: swimming across the English Channel.
Like a feel-good Nyad, this hearty biopic of the first woman to swim the English Channel is a persuasively crowd-pleasing tale of underdog pluck. After a sickly childhood in 1910s New York, Trudy Ederle (Daisy Ridley) faces hearing problems and societal sexism. Her beloved sister (Tilda Cobham-Hervey) marries young, but Trudy defies expectations and takes up swimming, where her ambition surfaces. Director Joachim Ronning (Maleficent: Mistress of Evil) crafts a sparky celebration of sisterhood, lifted by a playful chemistry between Ridley and Cobham-Hervey. Some details and characters are painted in broad strokes, notably Sian Clifford's inspirational teacher and Christopher Eccleston's lip-curling coach, but the focus on Ederle takes up the slack. The film finds its momentum proper in the water, as Trudy realises her trophy-winning prowess, heads to France and battles the elements to fulfil her dream. The movie is powered by Ridley's fully committed performance, and the tense, stirring climax delivers all the punch-the-air uplift that Ederle's story calls for.
| role | name |
|---|---|
| Trudy Ederle | Daisy Ridley |
| Meg Ederle | Tilda Cobham-Hervey |
| Bill Burgess | Stephen Graham |
| Henry Ederle | Kim Bodnia |
| Gertrude Ederle | Jeanette Hain |
| role | name |
|---|---|
| Director | Joachim Ronning |
