Image from Summit Entertainment
By Steven Cayer, Contributor
5/5
In 2004, the coast of South-East Asia was hit with the Indian Ocean earthquake and devastating tsunami, making it one of the biggest natural disasters in history. Spanish director Juan Antonio Bayona took it upon himself to make a film honouring one Spanish family caught in the mayhem, appropriately titled The Impossible.
Spending what was to be a wonderful Christmas vacation in Thailand, the family is torn apart, and must struggle to find each other. Although the film places a white, English-speaking family in the scenario, Bayona did a fantastic job of making the audience feel everything that the “Bennett” family must have gone through physically and emotionally.
The cinematography was definitely one of the high points of the film. The way the camera moves everywhere, below and above the water, gave a very claustrophobic feeling. The cast was also incredible to watch on screen, which makes Naomi Watts’ recently announced Oscar nomination even more deserved.
If you see this movie, bring either tissues or a friend you can rub your nose on—you’re going to need it.
