Common Sense Media Review
By Kat Halstead
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
British sports docu has mild peril, some strong language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Against the Tides
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In AGAINST THE TIDES, Beth French overcomes childhood illness to test her body as an adult in the Oceans Seven extreme swimming challenge. She pulls together a team of supporters and travels to some of the most dangerous waters in the world in an attempt to set a record as the first person to complete the challenge within a year. While the swims themselves are physically and emotionally grueling, it is the challenges she faces out of the water that will eventually change the coarse of her future.
Is It Any Good?
Night photography and underwater shots are atmospheric and haunting, yet this documentary lacks the drama that might have kept it on track as events unfold. It is unsurprising that Against the Tides feels incomplete given the unexpected direction it takes, suggesting French's decisions leave the documentary crew as high and dry as her support team.
Rooting for French becomes increasingly difficult -- her initial claim that she is attempting the challenge for her son, Dylan, never quite ringing true. Moments of difficulty, where Dylan is upset and untethered on their travels, are always framed in terms of their affect on French, with any empathy dimmed by the overriding sense that she could do without it the night before a swim. The single-mindedness that made her so successful and potentially inspiring going into the challenge translates into selfishness as the documentary goes on, leaving the audience feeling as cheated as those around her as it draws to a close.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the difficulties faced in Against the Tides. What challenges does Beth have to overcome, both within the water and on dry land? How well does she deal with them? What character strengths does she demonstrate?
Who helps Beth during her challenges and how do they show their support in different ways?
Talk about the language used in the documentary. Did it seem necessary or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie?
Can you think of other sports documentaries where an individual takes on a challenge? How do they compare?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : March 1, 2021
- Cast : Beth French , Dylan French , Ella Hewton
- Director : Stefan Stuckert
- Studio : Passion River Films
- Genre : Documentary
- Run time : 87 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 1, 2021
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