A moving portrayal of a family caught in a Tsunami!

Rating: 8/10 (7 January 2013)

I was visibly in tears when I finished watching this movie. Watts, McGregor and the children (especially Holland and the little one Pendergast) have vividly portrayed the sufferings encountered as a family caught in a Tsunami while on vacation in Thailand. The acting is exemplary, award-worthy ones. The children portrayed the agony and the pain that one might go through when they're separated from their parents and not knowing what has happened to them. The movie gives us a glimpse of what would have been the state of mind of thousands of families that lost their loves ones forever.
From the Direction perspective, Juan Antonio Bayona has picked up a story that has been well told on screen. Cinematography has excellent as well. The shots involving the slow-motion effects of watts towards the end of the movie deserve special mention. Editing is great. The story and the screenplay keeps us hooked to the movie.
I sense that the movie was primarily shot in Spain and was first released in Spain and then later for the world-wide audience. But still, good movies reach audience somehow through word-of-mouth. I felt that this movie should have had a mainstream release in Hollywood to have had a wide ranging reach and effect.
One of the best movies that I have ever come across with. A must-watch for those who would like to understand how to cope up with pain as a result of loss and suffering.
My rating would be a 8 out of 10. Regards, Ganesh.