IR Film Review: NYAD [Netflix]

The aspect of adversity is reflected in the beholder and their experience. Too often, that focuses on young people. With a film like "Nyah" which chronicled the later attempts by the Olympic swimmer Diana Nyad in her 60s to make the crossing swimming from Havana to Key West, it gives two great actresses the ability to shine in their own way with a story that blends heart, humor and drama. "Nyad" as a story isn't reinventing the wheel but it tells a very specific story. Annette Bening plays the title character in Diana Nyad who, at the age of 60, after 30 years retired from swimming, decides to try the swim that she didn't complete when she was 28. Bening is a force but it works because she is offset by Jodie Foster as her best friend Bonnie. The great thing also is that the film doesn't overplay any aspect that these women are lesbians. They are just human beings, going about their lives, trying to be happy.

But the crucial element is that it is still governed by human frailities, hang ups and history. Nyad has history that makes her who she is, both good and bad but it is about coming to terms with it. Bening doesn't smooth over this woman's faults but makes you respect why she has them and also why it makes her stronger. Foster as Bonnie has to be the eyes and ears of the audience trying to understand this force of nature and has to underplay it maybe a little more than the actress normally would. However, Foster looks extremely comfortable, happy and fit in this role, much more so than anytime perhaps in the last decade. Hopefully this is because of the changing climate in the film industry. Bening and Foster respective are in their early and mid 60s themselves. In an age where ageism is a problem, one can see that this film shows their immense talent with physical roles that don't pull the punches.

One can understand that much of the set pieces (though small) do have to employ some CG touch ups to chronicle a journey such as this. Most of the film was shot in the Dominican Republic so it can capture the feel of the Straits without actually shooting there. However what keeps this tight is the acting at certain points between the actresses because of the finesse they have refined over the years. This is a character piece, not high drama (though it has drama) and not comedically snarky or mean. The characters again do have flaws. What also balances the two women is an understated and wonderful performance by Rhys Ifan (most recently seen on "House Of The Dragon") as a navigator/fisherman who gives an additional perspective and sounding board for both women simply as a point of view and point of logic where the intensity of the journey for the two women can blind them at times to the dangers of such an attempt. "Nyad" is a great showcase for two exceptional actresses in different ways with a story of adversity balanced in heart, drama and a bit of realistic humor. B+

By Tim Wassberg