If you haven’t seen “Maiden” yet, you are missing out on one of the year’s best films. The unexpected and intensely satisfying story will have you on the edge-of-your-seat, all while rooting for the ‘Maiden’ crew.

This inspiring documentary follows the 1989’s first all-women crew who compete in the grueling Whitbread Round the World yacht race, at 32,000-plus miles the longest contest on Earth. The adventure is filled with grit and daring in the face of conflict, fear and life-threatening situations.

What makes “Maiden” especially good is the candor and cooperation of the people involved, all speaking with the perspective of decades, including skipper Tracy Edwards, who talks about getting so angry with a crew member “I wanted to rip her throat out.” Documentaries don’t get much more intense, or more moving,than this one.

For the full review, please visit the Los Angeles Times.