Young Woman and the Sea
Young Woman and the Sea is a 2024 American biographical sports film directed by Joachim Rønning and written by Jeff Nathanson, based on the 2009 book by Glenn Stout.In New York City, 1914, a young Trudy Ederle, who is afflicted with measles, witnesses a burning ferry capsize, with that disaster leaving hundreds of the passengers dead.Sullivan, an opponent of female athletics, is dismissive of the idea, but offers to sponsor it conditionally, provided that Trudy swims from New York to New Jersey within a three-hour deadline.With Wolffe directing her, Trudy initially does well, however, the former, having grown jealous of the latter's progress, ostensibly spikes her tea, which disorients her and brings the attempt to an end.[a] Whilst recovering, Trudy is visited by Henry and Meg, who have come to take her home; however, they are stopped by Burgess, who offers to train her, having deduced Wolffe's duplicity.Determined, Trudy secretly escapes from her return trip home, and begins preparations for another attempt, making Burgess promise not to save her, should she fail again.Despite enduring jellyfish stings, Trudy persists in her attempt, before facing the final challenge: to cross the Goodwin Sands in order to reach England.The website's consensus reads: "Buoyed by Daisy Ridley's radiant star power and the remarkable trajectory of Gertrude Ederle's life story, Young Woman and the Sea is an old-fashioned sports movie that harkens back to the classics in the best way.[19] Glenn Kenny of The New York Times gave a positive review of the film, writing that "this is one of those movies that proves, when they’ve got a mind to, they can still make them like they used to."[21] Charles Bramesco of The Guardian criticized the movie's "anodyne, Disneyfied" take on feminism, writing that "you’d be hard-pressed to find a living person who believes women should not be allowed to go swimming".[22] Derek Smith of Slant Magazine said that the film creates "virtually no dramatic tension" because it "leaves no room for doubt about what Trudy Ederle will accomplish".