“My goal is to become a very old woman playing all sorts of character parts,” Annette told the students.

And now one of her most interesting characters is Diana Nyad, a swimmer who failed to complete a 110 mile open ocean swim from Cuba to Florida in 1978  This compelling movie focuses on Diana at age 60 when she decides to try this long dangerous swim again.  

Diana Nyad has a big dream.

“She will fail!,” many doubters scream.   

But Nyad persists all the way

with a team that’s more than okay.

NYAD the movie got to me.

It’s a terrific film to see.

Bening deserves more than one cheer.

Jodie Foster as coach is dear.

   Undersea music works so well.

Cinematography? It’s swell.

This biopic awards should win.

if not, my head might start to spin.

Bening and Foster seem perfect in their roles as old friends here. They play them with gusto and heart. One of my surprises involves the way this biopic doesn’t flinch to show Diana Nyad’s negatives in her character. And Bening makes sure to demonstrate Diana’s unpleasant side. She shows how much Diana demands that everything must go her way. There is an intense  scene where her friend and coach Bonnie (Foster) calls Diana on this. And what fabulous acting by these two stars ensues! They both should be nominated for 2023 Oscars.

Regardless of the negatives, Diana also demonstrates determination and perseverance that impress and inspire us. And Bening makes the most of this side of the courageous woman she plays.   

I must also mention Rhys Ifans who portrays Diana’s sympathetic boat man. How far will this character go to help Nyad achieve her big dream? We can’t help worrying about all three of these interesting people.

Alexander Desplat should also be mentioned for the splendid music. It couldn’t have been easy to score the long swimming sequences.

In fact, all of the production values help make NYAD an exceptional viewing experience. Congratulations and thanks to new directors Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vascarhelyi who put all this together!

Endurance is not a young person’s game. I thought I might be better at 60 than I was at 30. You have a body that’s about as strong, but you have a much better mind. --- Diana Nyad.

(Available on Netflix and rated “PG-13” by MPAA.)