(may contain spoilers)
Douban rating: 9.0
Director: Joachim Rønning
Starring: Daisy Ridley, Tilda Cobham-Hervey, Stephen Graham
Douban Comments: “The emotional resonance brought by the real-life story surpasses the technical craftsmanship of the film, but its strength lies in its precision and balance. The most moving moments are in the details. For instance, even though the first attempt to swim across failed and no Olympic gold was won, the spirit of perseverance still inspired a new generation of young girls. What seems like one person swimming is actually someone carrying the hopes of countless women.
Another beautiful detail is how women in different households turned on their lights, sitting by their radios to await the results. When the first attempt failed, one by one, their lights went out. This parallel structure – illuminated hope versus extinguished disappointment – feels methodical but is undeniably touching.
The swimming scenes are stunningly shot, free from the male-gaze perspective. I particularly loved the moment when Trudy floated in the ocean to rest – a serene yet powerful image. Every female character in the film shines in her own way.
There’s the mother, who adapts to her time but cleverly resists in subtle ways; the sister, who cannot escape fate but unwaveringly supports her sibling; the strict yet visionary coach, who values talent above all. These women don’t need to harm each other, nor do they need to conform to rigid standards like losing weight or gaining muscle. Their quiet determination and authenticity are more than enough to move us.”
“The film’s core story is compelling, but its execution feels overly conventional. The tightly paced narrative fails to generate strong dramatic tension, and the story’s predictability makes it somewhat dull. Audiences are forced to accept too early on that the protagonist is destined to succeed.
For example, the real-life Gertrude earned one gold and two bronze medals at the Paris Olympics – not exactly a failure (otherwise, she wouldn’t have become an icon for young girls). Yet, for the sake of a ‘rise-from-adversity’ narrative, the film exaggerates her struggles in Paris.
The feminist themes are presented in a heavily Disneyfied manner. One interesting touch is the portrayal of the only positively depicted male character: the nude swimmer who, despite successfully crossing the English Channel, was shunned by mainstream society for his unconventional behavior. This rhetorical choice underscores how Gertrude, as a woman in a male-dominated society, is forced to ally with marginalized or “failed” men rather than strong, mainstream ones.”
“I was moved to tears after the screening – this is truly a story centered on women. It tells of a female athlete who bravely defied societal norms and shook the world with her strength. In the world the protagonist faces, the paths available to women are painfully limited. Even when they make it to the Olympics, the coaches sabotage them, denying them proper training. Worse, during her daring attempt to swim across the channel, the male coach drugs her with seasickness medication. They were scared – faced with such overwhelming talent, all they could do was resorting to dirty tricks.
When the protagonist gets lost in the sea, it’s truly heart-wrenching. Thankfully, everyone lit torches to guide her, helping her find her way. It was an incredibly powerful moment, a symbol of hope and direction that inspired women everywhere.
This film proves that Disney can tell women’s stories.”
