What to Watch: Nyad

So in this lead-up week to the biggest holiday of the year where for some reason we only get one paid day off (if that), I thought I’d share some of my recent recommendations. Things I’ve watched and enjoyed and think you might enjoy of varying degrees of gayness to get you through these long winter nights. And the first will be the very gay, but definitely not in a hot girl-on-girl action way (unless you consider extraordinary athletic efforts between two female friends hot) is “Nyad.”

Look, you know me, I’m not usually a sportsball person (and is swimming sportsball, this is another question for another day). But this film about the limits of human determination (or lack of limits, in this case) is as fascinating and invigorating a sports movie as I can remember. It’s really more about the triumph of spirit/pigheadedness than sporting achievement. Though, *low whistle* what an insane achievement.

What makes “Nyad” such a compelling portrait is it doesn’t sugar-coat Diana Nyad’s flaws. She’s definitely not an easy person. But she certainly was singular. Annette Bening is brilliant and prickly, Jodie Foster is brilliant and so gay. Together they make us believe in a bond that would take everyone involved to the very edge of endurance and sanity.

Truly, it’s a revelation to watch Jodie let her dyke flag fly. She so inhabits Bonnie Stoll, Diana’s couch and best friend, that she oozes lesbianism. Like, between this and ALOTO the sporty queer women might finally be getting their due all these years after “Personal Best.”

Like I said over Thanksgiving, if you’re looking for an engrossing and all-ages movie to watch during the holidays, give them all an unexpected dose of lesbian excellence in “Nyad,” Or just watch it again for yourself. And Jodie’s abs. What? I’m only human, and I definitely couldn’t swim from Florida to Cuba.