This movie has been on Netflix for a while now. I began watching it when it first appeared but stopped about a third of the way through, because Diana Nyad came across as a rather unpleasant character. A few days ago I watched the rest and thoroughly enjoyed it once I got into it.
Diana Nyad is not very endearing - even in real life - but she is unapologetic about being herself. In reality has met and answered the controversy about her career and achievements, but this is not covered in the movie. I thought while watching that I probably would not have reacted so negatively if it had been a man behaving so selfishly in a movie, because that kind of behaviour has traditionally been condoned in men.
What fascinated me is Annette Bening's ability to play less likeable characters so brilliantly. She does not shy away from difficult roles, although in this case it may count against her for an Academy Award nomination. By the end of the movie I was rooting for Diana Nyad.
I also loved seeing these two women in their sixties showing that older women can be badass, look their age, and achieve new things. Both women are very obviously in their sixties, and make no attempts to hide it. In fact, as the movie progresses, their hair becomes strawier, their skin becomes more leathery, and their lines deepen. I think they grow more beautiful frame by frame because they are so obviously full of life and are comfortable in their bodies. It is kind of sad that this kind of depiction of older women is so rare.
In most African cultures, being elderly is viewed differently from the west. People see lines and grey hair as manifestation of wisdom and experience. In the west we tend to be afraid of it.
I loved Rhys Ifans' character. He was brilliant. And Jodie Foster is, as always, brilliant.
If you have watched Nyad, what did you think?
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