Movie Review: The Impossible

Only in a movie field this strong would a film like The Impossible be overlooked at the Oscars. Granted, Naomi Watts did get the best actress nomination, but as of right now the way that award season is shaping out, it does not seem likely she will win. If it were last year, when the field was not very great, this film probably would have been recognized for many more awards. But alas, movies were too good this year. Not like I am complaining.

The Impossible starts out like any vacation movie: the Bennett family is on the plane, making wise cracks at one another. The kids are fighting. Half the family is scared of a little turbulence  Once the plane lands, it's all about enjoying the ocean and the beach resort.

And then the unthinkable happens. Brown, murky water comes cascading over the beach house, destroying everything in its path. These scenes with the tsunami are difficult to watch. As someone who has thankfully not experienced something like this, you don't realize what happens under the water. Broken branches, glass, cars, everything is under the water. And any of these can cause life threatening injuries at any point.

It truly is a wonder how Naomi Watts' Maria got out and found one of her three sons, Lucas. What the audience then learns, however, is that the rest of the family is nowhere to be found and Maria has some serious injuries that need prompt medical attention. Somehow they make it to the hospital, but what comes next for Maria ia truly the critical part. You truly have no idea, as an audience member, what her fate is in this scenario. Unless you know have read the true story.

Watts' portrayal of the injured Maria in this film is truly remarkable. I'm not an actor, but I think it would be extremely difficult to play a woman is such severe distress and make it 100% believable at the same time. But Watts pulls it off flawlessly. You can see the pain and determination in her eyes as she searches for somebody in her family in order to have at least a little sliver of hope.

Bottom line: This is not an easy movie to watch. It's hard to watch these character get so injured and feel the loss of hope. But this is a movie everyone should watch. It is one of the best movies of the year and reminds people of what a tragedy the tsunami was.

Grade: A+