Netflix’s latest biopic, Nyad, tells the inspiring story of Diana Nyad, the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida without a shark cage. The film, directed by Academy Award-winning filmmakers Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, also explores the platonic love story between Nyad and her longtime friend and trainer, Bonnie Stoll.
Nyad’s obsession with the Cuba-Florida swim
Nyad, played by Annette Bening, was a successful marathon swimmer and sports journalist who retired from swimming in 1979 after failing to complete the Cuba-Florida swim, a 110-mile journey across the shark-infested waters of the Florida Straits. She spent the next three decades pursuing other passions, but the dream of conquering the swim never left her.
In 2010, at the age of 60, Nyad decided to give it another try, motivated by a personal crisis and a desire to prove herself. She enlisted the help of Stoll, portrayed by Jodie Foster, who had been her friend and coach since they met in college. Stoll agreed to support Nyad’s quest, despite having doubts about her physical and mental health.
The challenges and controversies of the swim
The film depicts the grueling preparations and multiple attempts that Nyad and her team faced, as they dealt with logistical, political, environmental and medical obstacles. Nyad had to deal with visa issues, weather delays, jellyfish stings, hypothermia, dehydration, hallucinations and shark threats. She also had to endure criticism and skepticism from some members of the swimming community, who questioned her methods and integrity.
The film does not shy away from addressing the controversies that surrounded Nyad’s swim, such as her use of a protective suit and mask, her drafting behind a boat, and her lack of independent observers. The film presents Nyad’s perspective on these issues, as well as the opinions of her detractors and supporters.
The bond between Nyad and Stoll
One of the most compelling aspects of the film is the relationship between Nyad and Stoll, who share a deep and platonic love for each other. The film shows how they met, how they became friends, how they supported each other through personal and professional challenges, and how they remained loyal and committed to each other throughout the swim.
The film also explores the sexual orientation and identity of both women, who have been open about being gay. Nyad and Stoll have never been romantically involved, but they have been each other’s soulmates and life partners. The film portrays their bond as a rare and beautiful example of friendship and love that transcends labels and expectations.
The triumph of the human spirit
The film culminates with Nyad’s successful completion of the swim in 2013, at the age of 64, after 53 hours in the water. She became the first person to achieve this feat, setting a world record and inspiring millions of people around the world. She also fulfilled her lifelong dream and proved to herself and others that nothing is impossible.
The film celebrates Nyad’s achievement as a testament to the power of the human spirit, the importance of perseverance, and the value of teamwork. It also delivers a message of hope and peace, as Nyad dedicated her swim to the people of Cuba and the United States, two countries that have been estranged for decades.
Nyad is a film that will appeal to fans of sports, adventure, drama and romance. It is a film that showcases the extraordinary life and legacy of Diana Nyad, and the platonic love story that made it possible.
