Nyad (2023)

November 4, 2023 6:33 AM

Nyad tells the remarkable true story of athlete Diana Nyad who, at the age of 60 and with the help of her best friend and coach, commits to achieving her life-long dream: a 110-mile open ocean swim from Cuba to Florida. Starring Annette Bening and Jodie Foster, streaming on Netflix.
posted by chavenet (5 comments total)

‘Nyad’ Review: Neptune’s (Estranged) Daughter [New York Times]
To Its Credit, Nyad Makes Its Subject Look Like a Real Asshole [Vulture]
posted by chavenet at 7:13 AM on November 4, 2023

I am curious as to whether the film comments on the nominative determinism.
posted by kyrademon at 4:17 PM on November 4, 2023 [6 favorites]

kyrademon,

Yes, according to the Vulture article, because Nyad herself mentioned it all the time.
posted by antinomia at 12:16 AM on November 5, 2023 [2 favorites]

absolutely, it's all she ever talks about!

also, [spoiler] there is a moment at the end when her paternity [Greek] is called into question [by her] and the whole destiny/name/goddess thing wobbles. but only for a bit.
posted by chavenet at 3:07 AM on November 5, 2023

Great performance by Annette Bening in particular: she really captures that mix of enviable and narcissistic asshole like traits that makes somebody ignore the cautionary advice of friends, scientists, doctors, pundits and one's own body and then go ahead and do something anyway.
Here, for comparison - is Nyad on Ellen in 2013, after her swim.
posted by rongorongo at 10:53 PM on January 24