A film that will stay with you

Rating: 10/10 (24 August 2013)

This film is one of the most outstanding pieces of cinema I have ever seen. From start to finish it is an emotional roller coaster, telling the true story of a family desperately trying to survive and reunite after they were hit by the 2004 boxing day Tsunami.
Tom Holland is the stand-out performance of this film. He is the boy that drove everybody to tears with a simple look or a sentence. Naomi Watts is fantastic (and the make up department did a great job by the way) and her Oscar nom was well deserved.
Their strong and exciting story creates a thrilling first half, and although McGregor had everyone in tears during the train station scene, many were left sighing at his character's often idiotic decisions (like leaving his kids with strangers on some random mountain?) - yet this is redeemed by the great final act of the film.
Lots complain about the focus on white tourists and not the natives, yet I don't think this ruins the film. People forget that the western tourists the family DO turn to for help are rude and selfish. Thai people could not be shown in a more positive light, helping those around them regardless of their race.
This is an incredible film. It's one that will stay with you, and Tom Holland has a very bright future ahead! 10/10