Young Woman and the Sea
A clunky title and predictable plot do not weigh down this inspiring true story
Daisy Ridley dives into this feel-good true story.
Trudy Ederle (Daisy Ridley) was born with a knack for beating the odds. In 1914, measles was a death sentence for many children. But Trudy managed to beat the disease and come out stronger than before. When her father refused to allow Trudy to swim because of her “delicate health” she began a diabolical campaign of annoyance until she was allowed in the water.
In a time when “modest” swimming costumes drowned more women than riptides, Trudy found a way to keep paddling no matter what. Her dogged nature and love of the water made Trudy an oddball of the time. Ladies didn’t swim, they didn’t play sports, and they certainly didn’t talk back when men explained the rules to them. While police officers roamed the beaches of Coney Island arresting women whose swimming costumes got too high above their knees, Trudy was diving into competitive swimming and setting world records.
Though she had earned fame throughout the US, Trudy hopped to solidify herself in the history books with a feat that even men would have to acknowledge: Swimming the English Channel.
Nearly 21 miles across as the crow flies, swimming the English Channel is still considered one of the most harrowing athletic feats in the world. Brutal currents, freezing temperatures, hazardous sea creatures, and heavy commercial ship traffic all work together to create a marathon open water swim that has foiled many athletes and killed a fair few.
Can Trudy, a mere woman, make it across the channel when so many men have failed? Or is a lifetime of swimming against the tide of patriarchy enough training to overcome just about any physical obstacle?
Often the word inspiring can be synonymous with insipid when we’re talking films. It’s hard to show restraint when telling an underdog tale. Usually, the schmaltzy music swells, the light falls just right across our hero’s face, and someone starts a slow clap. There’s nothing inherently wrong with these types of films (if you haven’t cried at least once because of Rudy/Miracle/Seabiscuit you’re dead inside), but they do create a certain predictable template.
You know how this movie is going to end. Firstly, it’s one history.com search away from being spoiled. Secondly, if you’ve ever seen an inspirational sports movie, you’ll be familiar with every single plot point in the movie from tragic setbacks to stunning triumphs. But what makes Young Woman and the Sea so special (other than having possibly the dullest title of 2024) is that it overcomes these cliches through sheer force of will. Not unlike Trudy herself, this film will not be denied. Its shots are lovely, its cast charming, and it is pretty damn inspiring to boot.
Director Joachim Rønning keeps the film from feeling too familiar by offering the audience historical context for Trudy’s story. He steeps the film in repression, showing off that a woman’s choices in life were spinster caretaker or mother. When Trudy questions the idea of blindly following her father’s orders to marry a nice German man and settle down to have children, she’s regarded as an abomination. Every man she encounters regards her as an imbecile or a freak and treats her accordingly. This sort of normalized oppression and the effort it took to overcome it is an accomplishment almost on par with swimming the English Channel.
But Rønning is careful to emphasize that Trudy is not fighting the current alone. She’s surrounded by strong, impressive women who go out of their way to support her and her dreams. Trudy’s mother took on sewing work to personally pay for her daughters to swim. Trudy’s sister is devoted to her belief that Trudy can accomplish anything. Trudy’s swim team and instructor all pin their dreams on Trudy’s success. This is not a woman swimming alone in the open water, but a woman bolstered by a community, ready to uplift her when her confidence falters. It’s truly a testament to how important it is to have people believe in you.
It helps that Ridley portrays Trudy with the pluck and sass of a young Katherine Hepburn, brimming with an unshakable sense of self. Unlike the self-aggrandizing drive of Diana Nyad, Trudy Ederle seems to move mountains for the sheer love of a challenge. Her faith in her abilities is infectious, and she’s able to win over most naysayers through bold-faced moxie. Even those who believe women shouldn’t be allowed to swim because of “decency” can’t deny her world records. Ridley toes the line between sweet and tenacious beautifully, making Trudy seem like Anne Shirley in a bathing cap. It’s a warm, inspiring performance and one that will especially charm younger audiences.
In a world of dark, depressing news and dark depressing films, sometimes it’s nice to sit back and watch a feel-good flick. And while Young Woman and the Sea certainly isn’t breaking new ground, it’s a pleasant dive into familiar waters. This is the type of movie that is hard to dislike. You’ll come away smiling, and yes, even…inspired.
Verdict: Daisy Ridley makes a splash in this crowd-pleasing true story.
Young Woman and the Sea is rated PG and is available July 19 on Disney+
