I did not post last week as I was away on vacation. But it’s back to work, and the reviews must continue.
Nyad: Netflix released this film starring Annette Bening and Jodie Foster with an assist from Rhys Ifans. It dramatizes the true story about Diana Nyad, who is a world class marathon swimmer who looked to make a record length open water swim from Cuba to Key West Florida, a distance of over 100 miles.
Nyad had tried when she was 28yo to make this swim and was not successful. This story starts when Nyad is turning 60yo and uncertain what to do with her life. There are flashbacks to her childhood and early days as a young swimmer. She had a domineering father, and she later had a well known coach who some observations are made about him. That aspect is not central to the main story of looking to make this formidable crossing. Rather the story address the 60yo woman looking at her own life. She decides that she wants to resurrect this old dream about Cuba. But there were challenges in attempting this swim: first there is weather and currents to deal with, but there are also sea life like sharks, jellyfish, barracuda and others. Finally there is the ability to swim for about 60 hours straight without any assistance of any kind.
What you learn is that she had to acquire a team to assist her. Diana as you can imagine has a strong personality and is driven like few people are driven. She commits to something and is single minded in her focus. Never mind age, she exemplifies determination at absolutely any age. This is a blessing and worthwhile, but a curse and difficult for those in a supporting role who are equally necessary but can be perceived as accessories (the swimmer being the “CEO” with ultimate decision making, even if the decision can put everyone’s lives at risk). You also learn that more than one attempt was made. Remarkably she would spend over 24 hours in the water only to be turned back.
The result is a story that is compelling and interesting. Bening is a four-time Oscar nominated actress without a win, but she shows determination in the role. Foster is a very capable supporting member and coach who was vital in the success of any attempt. The swimmer has to learn about the value of a team, that being an autocratic leader doesn’t build a lot of loyalty amongst the team. The team also realizes that the expected glory that can be achieved in the event, can be shared by all. At some point, each realizes that this can be their rememberance for their lives (and for which a movie may be made one day!). This is worth checking out.
Better Call Saul: A retrospective.
I finally finished this series, which was created by the same team that brought us the amazing Breaking Bad. Although much of this series pre-dates the events of Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul especially in this final season also begins to address the post-activities from that original series. It all comes together, and some can complain about that ultimate resolution. For me, I like how it resolves itself. I think it addresses his primary relationship with Kim Wexler, as well as professional legal relationship with his old firm. The primary partner, Howard Hamlin, was also a source of challenges for Jimmy/ Saul and Kim.
Jimmy and his alter ego Saul Goodman (“It’s all good man”) have a number of active irons in the fire during this season, and even on different timelines (more present day, and also previous to this). Things are coming together and at the same time issues between Kim and Jimmy are also showing themselves once again. Gus Fring has his own challenges with the Salamanca family while Mike helps Gus with his security.
Of course I won’t share how it all ends because one has to see for themselves. Each may regard the end differently. These characters are all well written. They are flawed. They are intelligent and do things that are clever, while at the same time can be damaging. Does Jimmy recognize the harm that he does to himself and those around him? How does he actually live with himself, and clearly he can? But is he able to break away from his own personality? In some ways, this creation of Saul allows him to do exactly that. With Jimmy there always seems to be another scam, another score. He has a very capable accomplice with Kim. They seem to be meant for each other. The two series together are not a fairy tale with a happy ending. You are dealing with drug dealing and the cartels. It rarely goes well for anyone in this industry, from the highest levels to the bottom. The same can be said for those mid-level workers here. But the stories are compelling, the characters are interesting, the writing is excellent and the acting is first rate. I found the early seasons slower and they bogged down a bit, but by the middle seasons picked up speed as the drug stories become more pronounced. Jimmy with his brother was good backstory and it created some motivations for Jimmy, but it could have been done more quickly. The end of it was memorable. This series is well worth checking out, especially for those who wish to seeing some back story but also see some old friends from Breaking Bad.
Mondays With Robbie 