New Year’s Day is always a day we love because most of us get the day off. But after a few hours we find that we need to be entertained. A trip to the cinema is always popular. So, when I went to see The Impossible, which is a film based on a true account of the horrors of the 2004 tsunami in South-East Asia, I didn’t know what to expect.
The film itself is based on a true story regarding a family of five who travel to Thailand for a Christmas break. Maria and Henry Bennett take their three excitable boys on a holiday that’s expected to be a trip to paradise. Everything is beautiful and idyllic until the tsunami strikes on Boxing Day.
Because you know what’s coming, the tension builds up the minute the plane lands in the film. There’s constant images of the ocean looking calm, but we know what’s going to happen. Albeit a lot of Jaws style music was going on, which takes the edge off a little bit, but the photography and camera work was truly brilliant when the first wave strikes.
The film is based on the family getting separated and trying to find each other, whilst dealing with other hurdles along the way. Ewan McGregor plays Henry, the father. We see him alone and terrified after the disaster strikes, and he plays a magnificent role in depicting raw desperation and true heartbreak when he realises what has happened. An appreciative nod can also be given to Naomi Watts, who plays the mother of the family. Her character’s maternal nature comes across beautifully when she shows her despair. However, the best acting of the film here has to go to the children. Tom Holland plays the part of Lucas (the eldest son) amazingly, taking the role seriously and successfully breaking our hearts as we follow him through the danger. His two younger siblings, portrayed by Samuel Joslin and Oaklee Pendergast similarly play fantastic roles throughout the film. The main themes of family and love are shown through these very young actors in a way that makes you admire their talent.
Without giving away too much, the film is a thriller and has loud parts, silent parts, jumpy parts, gruesome parts and very emotional parts. Some elements of the film were slightly dragged out but that’s to be expected with a disaster movie. Perhaps this will be seen as the next Titanic. I do wonder if the acting will get a look-in around Oscar season. A nomination should be expected at the very least.