How big will you dream if you know you can’t fail? That’s the lesson Joachim Ronning’s latest flick, “Young Woman and the Sea,” is serving up. This film explores the awe-inspiring life of Trudy Ederle, the fearless swimmer who shattered barriers and became the first woman to cross the English Channel. The movie boasts a powerhouse cast, with Daisy Ridley as Trudy Ederle. Tilda Cobham-Hervey as Meg Ederle, while Stephen Graham plays Bill Burgess, the man who helped Trudy make history. Kim Bodnia takes on the role of Henry Ederle, and Jenette Hain portrays Gertrude Ederle.
Young Woman and the Sea (2024) Plot Summary & Movie Synopsis:
“Young Woman and the Sea” is inspired by the true story of a resilient woman named Trudy Ederle. Despite facing countless challenges, including a patriarchal society that didn’t want her to succeed, Trudy persevered. She made it to the Olympic swimming team and made history by completing a 21-mile swim from France to England.
What is Trudy Ederle’s Dream?
Everyone has a dream. Some people want to become rich and splurge on the finest things money can buy. Others dream of becoming actors, leaving their mark in the annals of pop culture. Trudy had a different dream—one she’d held onto for as long as she could remember. She wanted to become one of the world’s best swimmers and compete in the Olympics. It wasn’t a far-fetched dream, but many thought it was out of reach for Trudy. When Trudy was just a little girl, she caught a severe case of measles. Dr. Weiss, the family doctor, informed Trudy’s parents that her fever wouldn’t break and she might not survive the night. He even told Trudy’s sister. Meg stayed with her during what were supposed to be her final moments.
You know that saying, “If you’re destined to do great things, no amount of hardship can break you”? Well, that night, Trudy miraculously recovered and walked down the stairs, surprising everyone. A few months later, Trudy told her parents she wanted to take up swimming like her brother. Her father, Henry, however, asked her to drop the idea and find a hobby more suited to a woman. But Trudy was persistent, and she eventually convinced her father to teach her to swim by singing the same song over and over again until he couldn’t take it anymore. To save his ears, her father finally took her to the docks and taught her how to swim.
Why did Charlotte ‘Eppy’ Epstein Agree to Teach Trudy Swimming?
Years go by, and Trudy and her older sister Meg blossom into young women. Seeing their love for swimming, their mother announces they’ll be joining a swimming team. But their father laughs it off, saying swimming is a man’s sport and there’s no place for girls in it. He believes girls should stick to the kitchen, learn to cook, and become good housewives. He even refuses to pay for their classes. Miss Eppy, a swimming coach, agrees to coach only Meg, comparing Trudy’s swimming technique to a horse with three broken legs trying to swim across a river. However, Eppy agrees to let Trudy practice in the pool if she helps her with the furnace.
Everyone in the class picks on Trudy, calling her names and bossing her around. But she remains unbothered. Seeing this, Eppy decides to coach Trudy, pulling her from boiler duty. In case you missed it, Trudy suffered from measles, and there’s a chance she could go deaf if she continues to swim. But Trudy doesn’t care. She just wants to swim. In the months that follow, during a friendly swimming contest organized by the American Olympic Union, Trudy manages to defeat everyone, including her sister. Trudy doesn’t stop there. She soon starts claiming trophies and setting records left and right, whether at the state, national, or international level.
Why Trudy Ederle Fails to Win a Medal at the Olympics?
Unfortunately, Trudy breaking world records isn’t enough for her father, Henry. He decides to marry her off. Fortunately, Trudy manages to scare the suitor away. Soon, the day comes when James Sullivan offers Trudy a chance to go to Paris and compete in the Olympics. Unfortunately, since there are only a few spots, Meg doesn’t make the list. This breaks Meg’s heart, making her feel like she’s not good enough as a swimmer. Eventually, she makes up her mind to give up swimming altogether.
Even though America was ready to send women to compete in the Olympics, there were still plenty of restrictions. The women weren’t allowed to train since the pools were mostly reserved for the boys. Because of this, Trudy fails to snag a single gold medal and returns home empty-handed. With no medals to show, the American Olympic Association pulls the plug on the women’s championship and decides to stop funding them altogether.
Why Trudy Decides to Swim Across the English Channel?
When Trudy returns home, she finds all her trophies packed away and learns that her sister is getting married. Trudy Ederle lived at a time when women had to fight tooth and nail for respect. From the minute they learn to speak and understand, they’re told their fates are sealed. They are to learn how to cook and become housewives. It’s deemed foolish for them to dream and achieve big things. Trudy and Meg, too, were told that they belonged in the kitchen and should focus on learning how to gut a chicken rather than how to swim. She gives up swimming. However, Trudy often finds herself looking toward the sea as if the sea itself is calling her to conquer it.
Trudy makes up her mind to swim across the English Channel, which is a daunting 21-mile trek. It’s practically impossible, mostly because of the unpredictable currents that change every few hours. Not to mention, the water is teeming with jellyfish, sharks, and even mines. If Trudy manages to cross the English Channel, the American Olympic Association will have to start funding the women’s team again.
James Sullivan is aware of the dangers and immediately makes it clear that Trudy won’t attempt the swim. However, Sullivan agrees to fund Trudy’s ambitious dream when she manages to swim from New York to New Jersey in less than three hours. With Sullivan on board, Trudy has all the money she needs for trainers, guide boats, and supplies. Matthew Webb is selected to coach Trudy. But even he doesn’t believe she’ll make it past the 7th mile, mainly because he himself had tried many times and failed.
Young Woman and the Sea (2024) Ending Explained:
How Does Trudy Overcome Challenges to Conquer the English Channel?
Trudy’s first attempt at swimming across the English Channel ends in disappointment. Jealous of her success, Webb laces her tea with sleeping pills and makes her sick and struggling. When Trudy begins to drown, Webb pulls her from the water. Mr. Burgess, a veteran swimmer, pays Trudy a visit and reveals that it was Webb who tried to sabotage her swim. Burgess also offers to coach Trudy, and she eagerly accepts.
This time, Trudy insists that Burgess should not save her, even if she starts drowning. “I’ll conquer the English Channel or die trying,” she says. This time, Trudy decides to take a different route to avoid the tide, adding an extra 20 miles to her journey. Along the way, she’ll face a challenging shallow area where the currents are so strong that once they grab hold of you, they won’t let go. Many swimmers, including Trudy’s good friend Benji, have been defeated by this treacherous spot.
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On her second attempt, Trudy starts strong, but trouble comes as men try to sabotage her swim. Fortunately, Burgess is there, and he threatens to shoot anyone who gets too close. Soon, Trudy faces a swarm of jellyfish. They sting her many times, but they can’t break her spirit. When Trudy starts to flag, her sister Meg enters the water to boost her morale. Even the dangerous shallows—where many swimmers have met their end fail to stop Trudy.
Swimming through the darkness without a guided boat, she swims through the freezing waters like a sea lion.’ Against all odds, Trudy Ederle succeeds and becomes the first woman to swim across the English Channel. Her triumph became a resounding rebuttal to all those who doubted women’s abilities and relegated them to the kitchen. Legend has it that when Webb heard the news of Trudy’s achievement—something even he couldn’t conquer—he threw a radio out the window in frustration.
When Trudy returns to America, she’s met with an outpouring of celebration, including a parade so grand it’s the biggest ever thrown for a sports athlete. Her incredible feat of swimming across the English Channel inspired countless young girls to dream big, chase it fearlessly, and not worry about how to properly gut a chicken.
