Matthew Turner | On 10, Aug 2024

Director: Joachim Rønning
Cast: Daisy Ridley, Tilda Cobham-Hervey, Stephen Graham, Kim Bodnia, Jeanette Hain, Glenn Fleshner, Sian Clifford, Christopher Eccleston
Certificate: PG

Directed by Joachim Rønning (Maleficent: Mistress of Evil), this inspirational sports biopic is based on the true story of Trudy Ederle, who became the first woman to swim the English Channel in 1926. It’s a pleasingly old-fashioned feelgood drama that features a career-best performance by Daisy Ridley.

The film begins in Coney Island, New York, in 1914, where young Trudy (Olive Abercrombie) lives with older sister Meg (Lilly Aspel, then Tilda Cobham-Hervey), younger brother Henry Jr (Raphael Bishop, then Ethan Rouse) and her German immigrant parents, butcher Henry (Kim Bodnia) and his wife, Gertrude (Jeanette Hain).

Unsettled by a recent boat-related tragedy, Gertrude insists that both girls learn to swim at a young age and Trudy is initially prohibited from doing so, as her previous illness makes her susceptible to deafness. However, in the first of many delightful sequences, Trudy repeatedly sings an off-key version of Ain’t We Got Fun to her father – which becomes her mantra in later years – until he gives in and allows her to swim in the ocean with Meg.

When a local pool opens, Meg joins a women’s swimming team and Trudy (now played by Daisy Ridley) is eventually allowed to join her sister, after Gertrude makes a deal with headstrong coach Charlotte Epstein (Sian Clifford). Success follows success for Trudy, and after experiencing disappointing failure at the 1924 Olympics, she sets her sights on becoming the first woman to swim the English Channel, something only five men had ever achieved before.

Jeff Nathanson’s script, adapted from a book by Glenn Stout, makes a few small tweaks in the name of dramatic licence – her Olympic achievement was considerably better than depicted here, for example – but does an excellent job in terms of presenting the various obstacles Trudy had to overcome in compelling fashion. These range from appalling sexism from male-lead sports authorities (plus ca change, etc) to alleged sabotage from a jealous coach (Christopher Eccleston, eminently hissable) to more physical dangers like poisonous red jellyfish or getting lost in the sea at night.

The performances are exceptional. Ridley delivers an immensely likeable central turn as Trudy, and her strength of character and determination are genuinely moving. Similarly, Tilda Cobham-Hervey is superb as Meg, and the relationship between the two sisters forms the beating heart of the film – the moment when Trudy discovers Meg has given up their shared swimming dream in favour of getting married and settling down is devastating.

The supporting cast are equally wonderful, especially Kim Bodnia, whose gruff charm is perfectly pitched here, and Stephen Graham, who brings warmth and humour as Bill Burgess, an eccentric former Channel-swimmer who becomes Trudy’s coach and mentor. Crucially, the script is generous to the entire cast, ensuring that everyone gets a moment to shine.

Rønning, who’d had previous aquatic cinematic experience with Kon-Tiki (2012) ensures that the film never drags, despite its two hour-plus running time. He also knows his way around a memorable moment, orchestrating a  number of heart-warming feelgood scenes, including a genuinely moving climax, the details of which it would be churlish to spoil here.

The film is impressive on a technical level too. Oscar Faura’s gorgeous cinematography and Úna Ní Dhonghaíle’s accomplished editing ensure that the swimming sequences are consistently dynamic and gripping and the 1920s production design is extremely appealing throughout. A sumptuous score by actor-turned-composer Amelia Warner proves the icing on an already delicious cake.

In short, this is an utterly charming sports biopic that’s well worth seeking out. It will doubtlessly get ignored during awards season, and that will be a terrible shame, as it’s one of the best films of the year.

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