“The triumph of the human spirit“.
This cliched tagline seems as if it has been used for numerous movies. The Impossible is one of the few films that can back up this cliche and never feel like it’s a false claim. The Impossible might be the saddest movie I have ever seen, yet I left the theater feeling optimistic and hopeful.
Before I continue on with my review of The Impossible, lets try to survive some trailers.
TRAILERS ATTACHED TO THE IMPOSSIBLE:
Mama – It finally happened…Jessica Chastain is in a bad movie. : Sell My Stock!
The Lone Ranger – Johnny Depp has taken Jack Sparrow’s quirkiness and given it a Native American look. Since it’s Johnny, it’s ok. : I Will Be There Opening Night!
Beautiful Creatures – This trailer looks like a Twilight clone, just with better actors. : Sell My Stock!
The Great Gatsby – This could be a great film, as long as Baz hasn’t directed another “style over substance” picture. : I Will Be There Opening Night!
Oblivion – It appears to be a thinking man’s sci-fi flick. Tom Cruise rarely gives a bad performance. : I Will Be There Opening Night!
NOW ON WITH THE MAIN EVENT…
The 2004 tsunami in South Asia was one of the deadliest natural disasters of all time. It struck the day after Christmas and hit many resort area beaches, with vacationing families from all around the world. The death toll was around 250,000.
The Impossible, directed brilliantly by Juan Antonio Bayona, tells the true story of one family’s staggering fight for survival. Ewan MacGregor and Naomi Watts play a married couple who try to get back to one another after the destructive wave separates them. The father is left to protect their two youngest boys, while the mother is stranded with the oldest son. Watts delivers a powerhouse performance. The constant emotional and physical pain she endures throughout this is heartbreaking. She is my choice for Best Actress. MacGregor also shines here as a father who must stay strong for his little ones, although he is about to break down at any moment. The family’s three sons are played by Tom Holland (the oldest, Lucas), Samuel Joslin (middle child, Thomas) and Oaklee Pendergast (the youngest, Simon). As fantastic as the lead actors are, it’s these boys who give the most astonishing turns of all.
From the epic visual of the wave hitting, to Watts barely clinging to life, to the bravery of the three youngsters, to MacGregor’s emotional phone call to a worried family member; you will need plenty of tissues. Bayona never forces the drama on us in a desperate attempt to make his film a tearjerker. It’s through his gifted direction and the natural acting of Watts and MacGregor, that make The Impossible riveting and gut-wrenching.
This is a life-affirming film and it should have been nominated for Best Picture.
I give THE IMPOSSIBLE **** out of ****.
