Nyad turns a true life sports story into a compelling film. Annette Benning plays competitive swimmer Diana Nyad, whose achievements included swimming around Manhattan and breaking the open ocean record tackling the swim from the Bahamas to Florida. Decades pass, and on turning 60, Nyad decides to train for the one swim that eluded her---the swim from Cuba to Florida, a 103-mile marathon. Benning does much of her own swimming. Cheered on and coached by her friend Bonnie Stoll, Nyad endured several failed attempts. As Stoll, Jodie Foster turbo charges the story, which moves at a clip from the opening frame. I especially liked the manner in which the filmmakers explain Nyad to those who might not remember her achievements. Foster and Benning make as great a team as the real Nyad and Stoll. I found Nyad one of the year's best.
