The Impossible
Intense natural disaster drama starring Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor, based on the true story of one family’s harrowing experience when the Indian Ocean tsunami struck Thailand on Boxing Day 2004. The giant wave ultimately claimed 230,000 lives. From the director of The Orphanage.
Maria (Watts), Henry (McGregor) and their three sons begin their winter vacation in tropical Thailand. But on the morning of December 26th, as the family relaxes around the pool after their Christmas festivities the night before, a terrifying tsunami hits without warning. The film then chronicles the aftermath, as Maria - badly injured - and her oldest son (Tom Holland) search for help and the rest of their family.
- Director:
- Juan Antonio Bayona ('The Orphanage')
- Writer:
- Sergio G. Sánchez
- Cast:
- Ewan McGregorNaomi WattsGeraldine ChaplinTom HollandMarta EturaOlivia Jackson
Reviews & comments
WOW
This was quite different to what I expected from the trailer. The real break through performance is from Tom Holland the lead in this film, I had been expecting Naomi or Ewan to be in the leading role and while they were superb, Tom really carried the film. The true story is very touching, I feel the film touches on the tragedy in a powerful but sensitive...
Seen Them All
This movie has a wow factor, and it puts you right there gasping for breath along with the characters. Naomi puts on a far more harrowing performance in The Impossible than Jennifer in Silver Linings (Even though I loved that movie too), it's a shame she didn't get the Best Actress gong. I highly recommend this movie for what it is, based on a true story,...
Heart breaking
I had to see this movie because it touches close to heart - my husband and I had just returned from Thailand when the Boxing day Tsunami hit in 2004. We had sat stunned in front of the telly watching the footage on the News - all the places and beautiful islands we had just visited - wiped out completely. So having been there, visited the wonderful kind...
Quite incredible
It's true, I do love disaster films & am very biased towards them but no-one can ignore the fact this is an amazingly powerful film. Both in terms of grueling realism, incredible effects/production & outstanding acting. Naomi left me speechless, sweeping like a child & was so believable I could feel her pain. It's about time the Academy recognize her for...
Uncomfortably Eurocentric but well made
Hmmm, as one reviewer said, it's about a rich white family and their spoiled holiday...not the hundred of thousands whose lives were devasted. But it does give an understanding about what a tsunami is actually like, which is makes for a powerful drama visuals. It's a well made film, but why couldn't they be true to the story and have a black-haired Spanish...
Impossible to predict the ending
The Impossible Much like 'Titanic' there's no need for any spoilers, because you've already seen everything in the trailers. The acting was to be expected (outstanding) and the special effects were amazing. Obviously its the same as your all thinking, family, wave, seperation, disaster, stuff, ending... Suppose its a good "stay home its wet kinda movie" and...
A Wave of Emotions
This film, The Impossible, brought my family and I close to tears. The acting from the leads, including the children, were great, adding to the believability of the film. The Impossible is very intense in parts, especially the wave scene, however I felt as though it was never of bad taste. This is a film that is based on a true story of survival in the...
Enjoyed with reservations...
The disaster part of the movie (when the tsumani hits) is very intense - in fact the whole movie features a lot of pain - its hard to watch. But something feels slightly bad taste about it... a true-disaster movie - entertainment about the real death of hundreds of thousands of people. Dunno... harrowing, gripping film nonetheless.
The New York Times
pressThere is a troubling complacency and a lack of compassion... less an examination of mass destruction than the tale of a spoiled holiday.
The Guardian
pressNot especially complex, and not subtle, but there is judgment and intelligence in the simple idea of survival being the most agonising thing, and making survivor guilt the psychological aftershock of a shattering and irreparable blow.
Los Angeles Times
pressIt is the kind of ode to the human spirit that you hope comes along, and not just during the holiday season.
Hollywood Reporter
pressA tremendously realistic disaster movie has an intense emotional payoff.
Empire Magazine
pressThis rousing, superbly acted, no-holds-barred melodrama is a mighty feat of physical filmmaking.
A.V. Club
pressConfirms that Bayona is a major talent, with a skill for constructing sequences that build tension as masterfully as Steven Spielberg did in his '70s heyday.
The New York Times
pressThere is a troubling complacency and a lack of compassion... less an examination of mass destruction than the tale of a spoiled holiday.
The Guardian
pressNot especially complex, and not subtle, but there is judgment and intelligence in the simple idea of survival being the most agonising thing, and making survivor guilt the psychological aftershock of a shattering and irreparable blow.
Los Angeles Times
pressIt is the kind of ode to the human spirit that you hope comes along, and not just during the holiday season.
Hollywood Reporter
pressA tremendously realistic disaster movie has an intense emotional payoff.
Empire Magazine
pressThis rousing, superbly acted, no-holds-barred melodrama is a mighty feat of physical filmmaking.
A.V. Club
pressConfirms that Bayona is a major talent, with a skill for constructing sequences that build tension as masterfully as Steven Spielberg did in his '70s heyday.
WOW
This was quite different to what I expected from the trailer. The real break through performance is from Tom Holland the lead in this film, I had been expecting Naomi or Ewan to be in the leading role and while they were superb, Tom really carried the film. The true story is very touching, I feel the film touches on the tragedy in a powerful but...
Seen Them All
This movie has a wow factor, and it puts you right there gasping for breath along with the characters. Naomi puts on a far more harrowing performance in The Impossible than Jennifer in Silver Linings (Even though I loved that movie too), it's a shame she didn't get the Best Actress gong. I highly recommend this movie for what it is, based on a true...
Heart breaking
I had to see this movie because it touches close to heart - my husband and I had just returned from Thailand when the Boxing day Tsunami hit in 2004. We had sat stunned in front of the telly watching the footage on the News - all the places and beautiful islands we had just visited - wiped out completely. So having been there, visited the wonderful kind...
Quite incredible
It's true, I do love disaster films & am very biased towards them but no-one can ignore the fact this is an amazingly powerful film. Both in terms of grueling realism, incredible effects/production & outstanding acting. Naomi left me speechless, sweeping like a child & was so believable I could feel her pain. It's about time the Academy recognize her for...
Uncomfortably Eurocentric but well made
Hmmm, as one reviewer said, it's about a rich white family and their spoiled holiday...not the hundred of thousands whose lives were devasted. But it does give an understanding about what a tsunami is actually like, which is makes for a powerful drama visuals. It's a well made film, but why couldn't they be true to the story and have a black-haired...
Impossible to predict the ending
The Impossible Much like 'Titanic' there's no need for any spoilers, because you've already seen everything in the trailers. The acting was to be expected (outstanding) and the special effects were amazing. Obviously its the same as your all thinking, family, wave, seperation, disaster, stuff, ending... Suppose its a good "stay home its wet kinda movie"...
A Wave of Emotions
This film, The Impossible, brought my family and I close to tears. The acting from the leads, including the children, were great, adding to the believability of the film. The Impossible is very intense in parts, especially the wave scene, however I felt as though it was never of bad taste. This is a film that is based on a true story of survival in the...
Enjoyed with reservations...
The disaster part of the movie (when the tsumani hits) is very intense - in fact the whole movie features a lot of pain - its hard to watch. But something feels slightly bad taste about it... a true-disaster movie - entertainment about the real death of hundreds of thousands of people. Dunno... harrowing, gripping film nonetheless.
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