Verdict: An astonishingly true story of perseverance and determination in the face of adversity!

"Nyad" is a fascinating biopic that follows the life of Diana Nyad (played by Annette Bening), a record-breaking long-distance swimmer as she tackles a long-held ultra-swimming goal.

At the age of 60, she embarks on a mission to swim nonstop from Cuba to Florida, a challenge that had defeated her in her younger years.

The film explores Diana's mythic roots and portrays her as a valiant warrior willing to endure the most extreme physical and mental challenges, which is bought to life by her excellent TED talks that you can find on YouTube.

While initially skeptical of a potential inspirational narrative, the film takes a different approach, delving into Diana's character and her motivations. The directors, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, known for his documentaries on extreme outdoor challenges (such as Free Solo), highlight Diana's monomaniacal determination and the strain it puts on her support team, particularly her navigator John (Rhys Ifans) and her head coach Bonnie (Jodie Foster).

Annette Bening delivers a convincing performance, portraying Diana as a woman drowning in her own ego yet displaying remarkable resilience. The film avoids pitying its protagonist and redirects the audience's empathy towards Diana's support team. The relationship between Diana and Bonnie captures decades of camaraderie, portrayed by Bening and Foster, both accomplished actors!

The film shifts tones throughout, incorporating elements of horror and dream sequences during challenging swimming scenes and moments of reflection. Diana's journey is depicted with rawness, making her a prickly yet endearing protagonist. Despite her flaws, by the end of the movie, she earns your respect!

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