by Shane Conto, Staff Writer
Do you miss old school underdog sports movies? They just don’t seem to be made as much anymore. It could be that we live in a world with so much cynicism that an earnest and honest tale of perseverance would come across as cheesy or tacky. That is truly a shame, because there are so many great ones. The Bad News Bears might not have that innocence to it (for the better), but films like The Mighty Ducks, Little Giants, and Miracle (amongst plenty of others) really get your feelings going. Miracle especially is a film from Disney that has a truly earnest approach and doesn’t lean on silly humor to keep you engaged. It is all about the story and characters, and it’s done with an honest filmmaking approach. That is Young Woman and the Sea.
Have you even heard of this latest Disney sports biopic? Probably not. It was originally going to be a straight-to-Disney+ release, but test audiences loved it. Then Disney barely promoted it… so that is definitely a mystery. But the most important thing is the story of Trudy Ederle, the first woman to swim across the English Channel. But not just that, she destroyed the record time set by the men before her. Her accomplishments earned her the largest celebration parade in the history of New York City. So yes… her story is incredible and ripe for the movie treatment.
Does director Joachim Rønning do right by Ederle’s story? The film certainly has that “safe” Disney feel. There are overly simplified elements to the story, like the approach of the antagonistic forces in the form of sexist men in power (including one of her coaches) who go out of their way to sabotage. This story already had the drama of this incredible feat to begin with, making some of these other elements feel a bit too “Dick Dastardly” to take serious in an earnest biopic like this. But there is a good tone and charm about this film, as well as a sense of humor (because Disney cannot live in a world or story without levity), which is a good thing for this story. Trudy is a charming woman, and that makes it a lot easier for us to fall for her and empathize with her. But Rønning does not shy away from some serious elements — scenes like her confronting the shallows on her own, or navigating a school of jellyfish, deliver the right amount of tension and suspense.
How about the story? It is told with a basic and straightforward approach; don’t expect anything fancy from it. This is meat and potatoes, and that fits the simplistic yet effective underdog tale vibe that Disney wants. Some elements are smoothed out to make the film an efficient watch and to focus on the easy to process drama, but at least it is always respectful of Ederle and her accomplishments. Each character serves their purpose well and adds the needed layers to Ederle and her journey. The sisterly relationship is quite moving and inspiring, and the journey of Trudy’s father seeing her as a person who is truly great, instead of just his daughter, is truly great. On top of that, Trudy’s dynamic with her stoic mother is impactful in the way that Trudy reflects the limitations in her mother’s life. This is a story of adversity, and Ederle’s story is a beacon of hope that should inspire just about everyone.
Does Young Woman and the Sea stand out in the long tradition of underdog sports stories? The specific lens of sexism and societal pressures gives Rønning’s film some depth. The genuine tone and hopeful atmosphere go a long way in calling back to a time of filmmaking that is unfortunately not seen too much anymore. The narrative is simplistic and the beats are familiar, but an emotional and charming performance from Ridley makes Young Woman and the Sea soar above average.
Rating: It Was Just Okay
Young Woman and the Sea is currently playing in theaters
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