Then the story takes a slight nosedive, as cliches kick in and the lucky way events happen, frustrating after such a good watch. There’s a point where it became ridiculous! If that’s how things genuinely happened, then fair enough but it seemed so fabricated by film executives for such things to occur. Another gripe was the way nationalities of the true survivors the story is based on, being changed from Spanish, hence the Spanish backing behind the project, to a more ‘globally-friendly’ British. It would’ve been nicer, more authentic and daring to see a Spanish language version of the film that put away some of the cliches and gave us a more realistic representation with unknown actors. I can dream! I also, wasn’t a fan of how the family were the only ones highlighted in the events during and after the tsunami. Sure, we get mini glimpses into other white European families but the local Thai survivors serve only as emergency helpers, as doctors, as drivers, as first aiders. I would’ve liked more of a focus on the lives of these others or at least a sense of caring. A man who helps McGregor’s character in his attempts to find his family is seemingly left behind at a certain point, disappointing as he was of such great help to our ‘hero’.
Overall, the film is good. Upto a certain point I loved it, that being said you don’t feel particularly good watching it, it’s daring, dark and harrowing at times. Then a couple of points, those above, slightly tarnished the film for me, it being very close to perfect!
8/10