Diana Nyad is a legend to most marathon swimmers. Over the course of her career, she completed countless swims that would seem impossible to the average person. But there was always one tract that eluded the prolific competitor: the volatile open water between Havana, Cuba and Key West, Florida. Diane had attempted the swim when she was 28 years old, ending early due to swells and strong winds. Now, 30 years after her retirement, she's returning to the water to finish the job she started.
Tracking her journey from initial concept to final stroke, director Timothy Wheeler's The Other Shore is a personal look into the immense courage, determination, and talent of Nyad. The highs and lows are captured in raw form as she battles the elements, her peers, and ultimately her own stubbornness in an effort to teach, inspire, and win.
Interviews with Nyad bring forth her initial interest in swimming and provide the audience with a deeper understanding of her drive. Nyad originally derived the idea for the film to educate those around her that you are never too old to chase your dreams, and while The Other Shore embodies that motto from start to finish, the film ultimately offers up a wealth more for those willing to pay attention.
Wheeler is given unprecedented access as he captures Nyad and those around her in their rawest form. Emotions often run high as many fear for the now 60-year-old's safety, and when she finally embarks on the dangerous journey, you can't help but hold your breath in anticipation of the final outcome.
Well crafted and creatively edited, The Other Shore embodies the spirit of never giving up, and what starts out as a unique character study quickly turns into an intense story of pain, grit, and sheer passion. Diana Nyad is a tour de force athlete; this film isn't too far behind.
