Vindication Swim – Movie Review
Director: Elliott Hasler (WWII The Long Road Home)
Writer: Elliott Hasler (Screenplay)
Cast
- Kirsten Callaghan
- John Locke (Poor Things)
- Victoria Summer (Saving Mr Banks)
- Douglas Hodge (Joker)
- James Wilby (The Duke)
- Justin Hayward (Are We Monsters)
Plot: The inspirational story of Mercedes Gleitze, the first British woman to swim the English Channel and her battle against both the cold waters of the Channel and the oppressive society of 1920s England.
Runtime: 1 Hour 38 Minutes
There may be spoilers in the rest of the review
Story: Vindication Swim starts when Mercedes Gleitze (Callaghan) is looking to become the first British woman to swim the channel. She has failed a couple of times and seen another woman become the first woman to achieve it. However, being in the 1920s, most men won’t back her challenge and even question why a woman would even attempt it.
As Mercedes faces a challenge, she learns of an expert trainer Harold Best (Locke). He isn’t the man he once was and agrees to prepare her for the challenge and put herself in the history books.
Verdict on Vindication Swim
Vindication Swim is a drama following the battle Mercedes Gleitze had to first be accepted in endurance swimming. Secondly, battles to prove she achieved everything she did. It shows her need to overcome a society which doesn’t give women the same standards as men.
This is a biopic drama that shows the struggles Mercedes Gleitze battles in everyday society. It proves that people were always going to be fighting to make a difference. While not everything is about the challenge of the swim, it puts a lot of focus on overcoming sexism. It shows a historic achievement and how important the battle is to make sure she is remembered for it.
Where to Watch
Vindication Swim will be in UK Cinemas from 8th March.
Final Thoughts – Vindication Swim is an important story about overcoming society.