Naomi Watts as tsunami survivor

By Keeva Stratton

The 2004 Boxing Day tsunami is rightly seen as one of the greatest natural disasters of recent times. It’s believed that over 200,000 people lost their lives as a result of a monstrous tidal wave caused by an undersea earthquake, which wiped out many South East Asian beachside communities as it savagely raced in to shore.

The film—based on true events—focuses on a British family holidaying in Thailand when the tsunami hit.
Caught in the killer wave, they are swept in various directions. Henry (Ewan Macgregor), Maria (Naomi Watts) and their three sons are separated, injured and lost in a strange country with limited resources, in the aftermath of this terrifying demonstration of nature’s unchecked fury. The situation is dire, and there appears to be no immediate form of help.

But what Thailand lacks in modern facilities, it makes up for through the kindness of its people—they themselves who have lost loved ones and homes, but not their willingness to help strangers in need. The result is a raw, yet beautiful, retelling of a tragic event whose emotional ripples were felt across the globe.

Acting and technical excellence are at the forefront of this excellent film. When the wave hits, you cannot help but feel it. It’s one of those gripping cinematic moments where you feel literally swept up in the events portrayed onscreen, and things become tangibly real. It’s disturbing and only heightens the horror of contemplating what the real event must have been like for the people caught up in its wake.

Naomi Watts is extraordinary as a mother desperately fighting to reunite her family, and to stay alive. Throughout what seems to be an endless array of physical challenges, she holds your attention and your sympathy. It is easy to see why this demanding role has gained her such favouritism for an Oscar.

The Impossible is a gut-wrenching and emotional journey that explores the fine line between safety and loss. It’s a harrowing couple of hours, but as a film that gives you appreciation for what you have, and what others have endured, it’s incredibly worth it.

Directed by: Juan Antonio Bayona
Starring: Ewan McGregor, Naomi Watts
Rating: M
Runtime: 114mins
Release Date: 24 Jan
Reviewer rating: 4/5