#TIFF23: “NYAD” REVIEW

By Mr. Will Wong

In many ways, Annette Bening‘s long overdue recognition mirrors that of the subject she plays, Diana Nyad in NYAD. In 2013, after multiple failed attempts, she became the first person ever to swim from Cuba to Key West, without a cage to protect her from sharks. And Diana did this at the age of 64 above this.

Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin co-direct this Biopic which recounts Diana‘s painstaking journey to overcome the odds, and also her relationships with those around her who helped make it happen. We meet her best friend and trainer Bonnie (Jodie Foster) and navigator John (Rhys Ifans) who also are pushed to the limits, putting aside their lives to help Diana accomplish her impossible goal.

Cinematography by Claudio Miranda is magnificent, capturing the hypnotic beauty and also deadly dangers of the waters on which Diana and crew must tread to reach their destination. This, paired with a Soundtrack that is deeply personal to her, helping immerse us into our subject’s world, told both through flashbacks and in linear fashion in the timeframe Diana decides to embark her journey once again. The Film explores the price of ambition and the trickle effects of this

NYAD is immensely uplifting and perhaps the Movie that many of us need right now. Bening has never been better and is so convincing, nailing the physicality, vulnerability and strength that define Diana Nyad. Foster‘s Bonnie is that one BFF we all need in our lives, turning in a performance that feels truly lived-in. A Film made with its sights set on Awards Season glory and it very likely will get there.

NYAD screens at TIFF ’23:

Thursday, September 14

Visa Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre
Descriptive sound
5:45 PM

Saturday, September 16

TIFF Bell Lightbox
Closed captioning
9:30 PM

#TIFF23: NEW TRAILER FROM “NYAD”

Today we get a new official Trailer from NYAD, premiering at TIFF ’23!

ABOUT NYAD

DIRECTORS: Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, Jimmy Chin
WRITER: Julia Cox
BASED ON: The Book “Find A Way” by Diana Nyad
PRODUCERS: Andrew Lazar, Teddy Schwarzman
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Bill Johnson, Jim Seibel, Michael Heimler, Vanessa Humphrey, Julia Cox, D. Scott Lumpkin
KEY CAST: Annette Bening, Jodie Foster, Rhys Ifans, Ethan Jones Romero, Luke Cosgrove, Jeena Yi, Eric T. Miller

RELEASE DATE | In Select Theaters October 20 | On Netflix November 3

SYNOPSIS | A remarkable true story of tenacity, friendship and the triumph of the human spirit, NYAD recounts a riveting chapter in the life of world-class athlete Diana Nyad. Three decades after giving up marathon swimming in exchange for a prominent career as a sports journalist, at the age of 60, Diana (four-time Academy Award nominee Annette Bening) becomes obsessed with completing an epic swim that always eluded her: the 110 mile trek from Cuba to Florida, often referred to as the “Mount Everest” of swims. Determined to become the first person to finish the swim without a shark cage, Diana goes on a thrilling, four-year journey with her best friend and coach Bonnie Stoll (two-time Academy Award winner Jodie Foster) and a dedicated sailing team.

The inspirational and thrilling film marks the narrative directorial debut of Academy Award-winning documentary filmmakers Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin (Free Solo, The Rescue). NYAD is produced by Andrew Lazar, p.g.a. and Teddy Schwarzman, p.g.a. with a screenplay by Julia Cox, adapted from the memoir “Find a Way” by Diana Nyad.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW STILLS FROM “NYAD”

Premiering November 3, 2023 on Netflix and next month at TIFF, here is a first look at NYAD starring Annette Bening and Jodie Foster!

DIRECTORS: Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, Jimmy Chin
WRITER: Julia Cox
BASED ON: The Book “Find A Way” by Diana Nyad
PRODUCERS: Andrew Lazar, Teddy Schwarzman
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Bill Johnson, Jim Seibel, Michael Heimler, Vanessa Humphrey, Julia Cox, D. Scott Lumpkin
KEY CAST: Annette Bening, Jodie Foster, Rhys Ifans, Ethan Jones Romero, Luke Cosgrove, Jeena Yi, Eric T. Miller

SYNOPSIS:

A remarkable true story of tenacity, friendship and the triumph of the human spirit, NYAD recounts a riveting chapter in the life of world-class athlete Diana Nyad. Three decades after giving up marathon swimming in exchange for a prominent career as a sports journalist, at the age of 60, Diana (four-time Academy Award nominee Annette Bening) becomes obsessed with completing an epic swim that always eluded her: the 110 mile trek from Cuba to Florida, often referred to as the “Mount Everest” of swims. Determined to become the first person to finish the swim without a shark cage, Diana goes on a thrilling, four-year journey with her best friend and coach Bonnie Stoll (two-time Academy Award winner Jodie Foster) and a dedicated sailing team.

The inspirational and thrilling film marks the narrative directorial debut of Academy Award-winning documentary filmmakers Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin (Free Solo, The Rescue). NYAD is produced by Andrew Lazar, p.g.a. and Teddy Schwarzman, p.g.a. with a screenplay by Julia Cox, adapted from the memoir “Find a Way” by Diana Nyad.