The Impossible [DVD] [2013]

Closely based on the real events and almost miraculous reunion of the Belón family, as a result of the Indian Ocean tsunami, The Impossible is utterly compelling from start to finish and will pluck mercilessly at your heart-strings. Whilst the family name is anglicised to Bennett (slightly strange, as this is a Spanish movie) the mother and children's names are retained. Indeed, real life mum Maria advised on the movie and became close friends with Naomi Watts. Other tsunami survivors have praised the accuracy of the movie too, so we can be reasonably satisfied that the representation of the disaster closely mirrors what happened. The tsunami itself, depicted using a mixture of miniatures and digital effects, is dramatically stunning, but this film is really about the human interest in the aftermath. Desperate survivors seeking loved ones and local citizens and authorities struggling to cope with such an unprecedented disaster, are very well depicted. You are sure to have a tear in your eye at times!A special mention to young Tom Holland, who played an absolute blinder as the stoic and pragmatic eldest son Lucas.Given the grim subject matter, it is hard to describe The Impossible as conventional entertainment. It is however, one of the most powerful, compelling and memorable movies you are likely to see.

I came to this film blind as it was my wife's choice. The opening didn't list credits and went into the setting up of the characters and location and then suddenly WOW!I honestly felt that I had watched one of Steven Speilberg's better films by the end, stunning and full of intensity with total conviction from all of the actors and not dominated entirely by the CGI's. It was the production credits that informed me that the film was directed by Spain's J A Bayona and this was a joint Spanish production, not a Hollywood blockbuster.Some nasty injury detail, no sex or nudity. Quite suitable for a very good family watch and an important record of a devastating event within our living memory that must not be forgotten.English language with English subtitles for the hearing impaired. 119 minutes duration. Really interesting bonus features including 'making of' and cast interviews.

This is a very harrowing account of the Thailand Tsunami that claimed 100s of thousands of lives a few years ago. The film takes no time in getting going, and most of it is set after the actual event, chronicling the story of a family split apart by the tragedy.Emotionally the film is often a tough watch, but the really difficult-to-watch scenes are the superbly-done Tsunami effects. To see someone thrown around underwater like a rag doll as they crash into debris is actually quite shocking, more so as you know it is probably exactly what happened.Naomi Watts and Ewen Mcgregor are exceptional, as are the children. The film probably could be 15 minutes shorter, hence 4 stars, but it's a powerful and very watchable film.

I know it was terrible in Thailand, we heard about this in New zealand as we were to flight there 2 days after the disaster but went to Bali instead. It was only when we got back to the Uk 3 weeks later we started to hear of the full impact of the disaster.It was horrific for those people, local and tourists and how that country fought to keep it together and foreign aid, what it must have been like living through that, even with the real depiction of this horror (as this film gives you at least a feel of the horror they must have suffered) I cant truly imagine how it could have been for those involved in the tsunami. Everytime I hear about, even years after, I think I could have been there, suffering through that tragedy, or dead, and what about the effect on those who did go through this, survived, lost family or died. I still cant truly comprehend the tragedy.

Amazing film, uncomfortable and inspiring at once. You'll want to be a better person and appreciate life more by the end. Knowing its based an true events from the start, you watch it from a different angle.

This film is incredible! The acting was first class and the cinematography was breathtaking.It's a story that needed telling of the Indian Ocean tsunami and focuses on one particular family.Thousands and thousands of people died and countless others were injured during this event and it shows the absolute horror of being caught up in a tsunami.We see pictures on the news but it's hard to relate to what's going on and I think the story should be told for all those people who died.It was done sensitively, had you going through all kinds of emotions but showed the horror of it sincerely and unashamedly.

This could have been so mawkish and exploitative but what you have is absolutely one of the most honest and powerful films you are likely to see. An emotional rollercoaster. The portrayal of the tsunami itself is technically brilliant and you know it's accurate because the real family supervised its production. And real survivors were used as extras.Do not miss it.

This was far from an easy film to watch, but absolutely brilliantly done. A massive thank you to the crew behind putting the film together, and also to the actors for playing their characters so sensitively. The children actors were especially good. A very difficult film to watch, and one that made me cry about five times, which I don't think any other film has achieved, but so very good, so harrowing, and which such an important story to tell.