Daisy Ridley stars as Trudy Ederle in this powerfully heartwarming, stand-up-and-cheer film about the first woman to swim the English Channel, back in 1926. Director Joachim Rønning (‘Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales’) deftly straddles the line between traditional biopic and celebration of female empowerment, letting Ridley take center stage throughout. More than just a worthwhile history lesson, it’s a no-frills testament to the power of perseverance and the human spirit (and Ridley’s outstanding talent).
4.5/5 stars