Excellent performances, but protracted and predictable plot

Rating: 7/10 (22 January 2013)

The screenplay is based on a true story of the Spanish family Belón before and after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, and that is why it is a Spanish movie - apart from actors who are mostly from the USA. As its pace and running are very Spanish, hence the different running and longer focusing on reiterations and longer scenes. I am not very much into statics and several times I found myself in using (fast) forward function. Due to my imperfection, I guess... :) The cast is, however, brilliant, especially Naomi Watts as Maria Bennett and Tom Holland as Lucas Bennett; Ewan McGregor as Henry Bennett is great as well, but he spends less time on screen. On the other hand, because of the use of known actors, the viewers can shortly guess the outcome even if without prior knowledge of the story. It should be noted that all children's performances are very good and realistic, even the smaller Bennett boys have rather long bearing scenes.
The movie is definitely for you if you like survival stories with "ordinary" people becoming real heroes.