‘Young Woman and the Sea’ Review: Swims Against the Current

Disney’s bread and butter is without question its franchise films, which as of late appears to mostly be comprised of Marvel superheroes and the live-action remakes of its classic animated films. Young Woman and the Sea doesn’t exactly fit that mold, but as an inspiring biopic showcasing the strength and perseverance of swimmer Trudy Ederle it fits the Disney brand perfectly. Daisy Ridley shines as she swims against the current. There is no shortage of challenges Ederle faces being a woman in the 1920s, and with every obstacle she faces she rises above the tide to earn the respect she deserves. Young Woman and the Sea hits all the right notes with its compelling tale of triumph, doing what Disney does best and respectfully shines a light on Ederle’s vast accomplishments.

Trudy Ederle (Daisy Ridley) was a fighter from a young age having beat the measles when doctors believed she wouldn’t survive the night. The daughter of a butcher, she took an interest in swimming alongside her sister Meg (Tilda Cobham-Hervey) despite society’s view that women don’t belong in the water. Even after winning multiple swimming trophies and world records, the men of the sport still didn’t take her seriously. So with nearly every man rooting against her, she decides to be the first woman to swim across the English Channel and show the world that women are just as capable and talented as men. But with only a handful of men having ever completed the 21 mile swim across the dangerous waters, the odds are highly against her as well. That has never stopped Trudy before, however, and she’s determine to either make history or die trying.

Young Woman and the Sea is as straightforward as biopics go. Beginning with a young Trudy, the film follows her swimming career as she defies the odds and challenges the status quo of 1920’s New York. Swimming was a man’s sport, period, and women were never taken seriously. The one women’s team she was able to find trained in the basement boiler room of a building. Even after Trudy begins winning competitions and setting records, men continue to be an obstacle in her lane and discount her abilities at every chance they get. It’s a testament to Trudy’s talent that she was able to accomplish so much in spite of the uphill battle she faced. She rightfully makes the Olympic team at one point early on in her career but only earns a bronze medal due to the team’s inability to practice properly because they were women and had to be separated from the men. There is a constant push and pull; no matter how much Trudy shows that she is capable, the men who surround her continue to belittle her. For them, it’s never enough to prove she is worthy.

That honestly makes Trudy’s accomplishments all the more impressive. Her talent was so superior that even in the face of sexism she is still able to triumph. Just as she inspired countless young women back in the day, Young Woman and the Sea inspires a whole new generation to stand in the face of adversity and be the best person they can be, no matter the odds. Like all good biopics, the film focuses on her strength of heart as well as the feats she accomplished. Whether you’re familiar with her story or not, you can’t help but be swept away by her courage to stand up for herself.

Young Woman and the Sea is the feel good movie of the summer. It’s been a while since we’ve had a heartfelt biopic from Disney, and this scratches that itch. Even though it follows a familiar formula, it’s charming and inspiring message is impossible to ignore. Sometimes you just need a film to uplift your spirits. Young Woman and the Sea does all of that and more.