The Impossible-Film Review

Rating: 10/10 (10 August 2015)

The Impossible Film Review
Hi!
A Brief Summary:
The General plot of this true story revolves around a white British family, whom live in Japan due the father's (Ewan McGregor)job. They are on Holiday in Thailand, at a beach front hotel, for Christmas and bear the brunt of the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami. The Family are separated and of course attempt to find each other and help out others along the way.
I can honestly say this was a great film.
It was gripping throughout. Just a continuous stream of "what's next" or "what are they gonna do now".
The Acting is 100% Believable, and although all performances were good, there were a select few that were absolutely superb. Ewan McGregor performed well, while Naomi Watts also had a very good performance. Despite these two playing key roles, and acting in a properly "raw" and believable fashion, Tom Holland(Lucas)was absolutely astounding. He was the center point of the movie really, and even though it was such a big ask for an actor of his age, he smashed it. It was him that made the film what it was, and his character really helped the flow of the film. Seeing the Emotional roller-coaster he went through, and the way he had to quickly mature, somehow made it very relatable.Certainly not stupid or unrealistic like some have said.Samuel Joslin and Oaklee Pendergast's performance as the two, cute, innocent younger brothers was effective, and at times really added a different sort of element to the film.
I agree with certain users who have said things along the lines of "there wasn't a single Asian casualty in a film about a Asian tragedy". That is the only thing I can fault about this film. But to be honest, unless you're a particularly observant person like me, it's hard to notice it in the midst of what's going on!
It was well scripted, and it wasn't over the top. This has shown Hollywood how to make a decent true story film. It wasn't ALL action, and it didn't particularly try and force you to feel anything. It was more of an "open" movie which you could interpret in your own way. The Cat and Mouse like chase scene where your thinking "will they spot each other" is effective yet also unobtrusive.
The Fact that it is a True Story, which is mentioned several times, makes it even more real and touching. To think that what happened there was real (not just the story but many places, such as the hospital, were where these events actually took place,)is heart breaking and truly moving. Especially the Re-Union Scene towards the end. Even most of the people in McGregors Scene who were telling their stories about them and their families were real survivors. This is actually based on the story of the Almarez Family, who were portrayed by the cast of this film!
And it's a good portrayal at that, with no over the top dramatizations.
It's just real. That the best way to describe it...Just Real!
All in all this is an eye opening and must see movie!
An absolute must-watch!