The Impossible
is a straight-forward film in many respects. The narrative direction offers no
surprises; we are promised a film about a family surviving a tsunami and the
aftermath, which is exactly what The Impossible provides. The fact that it is
based on a true story and with a title like The Impossible, we are given some
assurance of a relatively happy ending for the family which is our collective
protagonist for the film. It is a testament to director J. A. Bayona that
despite all of this laid out at the beginning of the film, the viewing is still
arduously, and at points nearly unbearably, suspenseful.
Naomi Watts
and Ewan McGregor head up the cast as parents Maria and Henry, vacationing on a
beach resort in Thailand
This is an
emotionally draining film, leaving the audience feeling as beaten inside as the
stars look on the outside. McGregor and Watts
do a spectacular job capturing the emotions perfectly, never seeming to
manipulate or manifest false responses. Their reactions seem sincere, and as
parents this is a horror that I am certain both could relate to. Watts was nominated for her performance, deservedly, but
it is newcomer Tom Holland as the eldest son who I found myself most impressed
with. He reminded me of a young Jamie Bell, able to handle the emotional
aspects of the film with a maturity that hardly seems like acting. It is easy
to become immersed in the story and the characters, because of performances and
direction.
The Blu-ray
release includes an audio commentary with director J.A. Bayona, along with
writer Sergio G. Sánchez, producer Belén Atienza and Maria Belón. There are
also two making-of featurettes, including one about the casting process, and a
few deleted scenes.
Entertainment Value:
7.5/10
Quality of
Filmmaking: 9/10
Historical
Significance: 8/10
Disc Features: 7.5/10
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