(2012 - December 21, 2012 (NY, LA; Expanded Release 01/04/13))
Action | Drama | Thriller
1 hr. 43 min.
Rated: PG-13 Intense realistic disaster seq, disturbing injury images and brief non-sexual nudity.
Common Sense Media says iffy for 13+. Read More
Grade: A
Director: Juan Antonio Bayona
Writers: Sergio G. Sánchez (screenplay), María Belón (story)
Stars: Naomi Watts, Ewan McGregor and Tom Holland | See full cast and crew
Maria (Naomi Watts), Henry (Ewan McGregor) and their three sons begin their winter vacation in Thailand, looking forward to a few days in tropical paradise. But on the morning of December 26th, as the family relaxes around the pool after their Christmas festivities the night before, a terrifying roar rises up from the center of the earth. As Maria freezes in fear, a huge wall of black water races across the hotel grounds toward her. Based on a true story, THE IMPOSSIBLE is the unforgettable account of a family caught, with tens of thousands of strangers, in the mayhem of one of the worst natural catastrophes of our time. But the true-life terror is tempered by the unexpected displays of compassion, courage and simple kindness that Maria and her family encounter during the darkest hours of their lives. Both epic and intimate, devastating and uplifting, THE IMPOSSIBLE is a journey to the core of the human heart.
This is a powerful story based on one family’s survival of the
2004 tsunami, The Impossible stars Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor and is
directed by J.A. Bayona (The Orphanage).
Maria (Naomi Watts),
Henry (Ewan McGregor) and their three sons, Lucas, Thomas and Simon, begin their winter vacation
in Thailand. They are enjoying a few days in a tropical paradise when on
the morning of December 26th while the family is relaxing around the pool
after the Christmas festivities of the night before, a terrifying roar
rises up from the beach bringing massive
wall of black water racing across the hotel grounds toward them sweeping away everything in its path.
Based
on a true story, The Impossible is the unforgettable account of a
family caught, with tens of thousands of strangers, in the mayhem of one
of the worst natural catastrophes of our time. But the true-life terror
is tempered by the unexpected displays of compassion, courage and
simple kindness that Maria and her family encounter during the darkest
hours of their lives. Both epic and intimate, devastating and uplifting,
The Impossible is a journey to the core of the human heart.
Maria (Naomi Watts),
Henry (Ewan McGregor) and their three sons, Lucas, Thomas and Simon, begin their winter vacation
in Thailand. They are enjoying a few days in a tropical paradise when on
the morning of December 26th while the family is relaxing around the pool
after the Christmas festivities of the night before, a terrifying roar
rises up from the beach bringing massive
wall of black water racing across the hotel grounds toward them sweeping away everything in its path.
Based
on a true story, The Impossible is the unforgettable account of a
family caught, with tens of thousands of strangers, in the mayhem of one
of the worst natural catastrophes of our time. But the true-life terror
is tempered by the unexpected displays of compassion, courage and
simple kindness that Maria and her family encounter during the darkest
hours of their lives. Both epic and intimate, devastating and uplifting,
The Impossible is a journey to the core of the human heart.
I'm not sure why the makers of this film felt the need to change so much the family in the film from the family that lived through the events of December 2004. Their story is so gripping, so compelling that it would hold your interest no matter what the family looked like, not to take anything away from the performances of the excellent cast. Certainly Naomi Watts, as the mother, turned in a superb performance as did Ewan McGregor as the father, both very talented and seasoned actors. Geraldine Chaplin makes a cameo appearance. The surprise performance, however, was that of Tom Holland as the oldest of the three sons. This is no cream puff Disney disaster film like In Search of the Castaways, but a graphic, gritty take on a monumental disaster that most of us can remember watching as it played out in real time on our televisions.
The story depicts the devotion to and tremendously strong bonds of love and family. It portrays the innate goodness of humankind, which tends to surface especially in the time of such total devastation and terror. Compassion overflows at the sight of universal pain and suffering. People forget themselves and rush to do whatever they can to save one another without question of nationality, politics, religion, race or social standing. There are many fine examples of lessons to be learned for children, and adults, throughout the movie.
This is a powerful film full of heart for the entire family to see together, although the intense scenes of peril, fear, death and pain may be nightmare inducing, too horrifying and traumatic for the very young. One critic complained that The Impossible is a predictable melodrama, but who cares! Yeah, we pretty much know what's going to happen in the end, true stories are told by survivors, but how you get there, that's what really counts.
I highly recommend The Impossible, in my view it is one of the best films of the year. Remember to bring some tissues, if you don't use them I guarantee someone with you will.
Below is a behind the scenes clip, known as a B-Roll, in my opinion better viewed after you have seen the movie, it could ruin the movie experience for you, but afterward it answers some of the questions you had while watching the film of "How did they do that?'.
Cast
Henry Maria
Lucas Thomas Simon
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