Sunday, January 6, 2013

Lo Imposible: Disaster movie with a heart and soul

As you may already know, 'The Impossible' is a movie inspired by the true story of one English family's struggle to survive and to find each other in the aftermath of one of the worst natural disasters in history, the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami which claimed over 230,000 casualties in fourteen countries. 

Crafted by the deft hand of Spanish director Juan Antonio Bayona, who was best known previously for 'The Orphanage,' 'The Impossible' is a compelling, riveting, heart-wrenching, inspiring, and uplifting movie.  Anchored by Naomi Watts, who gave the finest performance of her career, Ewan McGregor and Tom Holland, 'The Impossible' is a testament to the power of love and familial bond against near-impossible odds.  The movie manages to be sappy without being overtly manipulative, with images that are as awe-inspiring as they are indelible.  Throughout the movie, the POV shifts from Maria (Naomi Watts) and Lucas (Tom Holland) to Henry (Ewan McGregor) and Thomas/Simon seamlessly, lending the film great emotional impact and making the family's ordeal that much more harrowing.

'The Impossible' is one of those movies that is impossible not to love.  The powerhouse performances of Naomi Watts and company elevate the movie above simply another disaster film, and its humanity and warmth, such as strangers helping strangers during times of hardship, will stay with you long after the final credits have rolled. 

Grade: A


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