Director: J.A. Bayona

Cast: Naomi Watts, Ewan McGregor and Tom Holland

Rating: 4/5

A powerful and compelling family melodrama

'The Impossible' is a true story based on what happened to the Belons, a Spanish family who were holidaying in a Thai resort when the 2004 tsunami hit the tropical tourist destination, scattering them like bloodied debris across a wide radius of destruction.

For movie purposes, Belons become Brits as Maria (Naomi Watts) and her eldest son Lucas (Tom Holland) who are separated from Henry (Ewan MacGregor), Thomas (Samuel Joslin) and Simon (Oaklee Pendergast).

Anxious for his critically injured mother, Lucas is wise beyond his teenage years and takes charge of the situation. Director J.A. Bayona skillfully balances pacing and emotion and moves smoothly between terrified cries, horrific injuries and chilling silences as Maria and Lucas navigate the drenched, body-strewn disaster site. With the help of Thai locals, they arrive at a hospital that is extremely jam-packed with victims of the Tsunami.

There are some moments that stand out amidst the commotion of tragedy. Oscar Faura’s cinematography is sharp and compelling while the sets are designed perfectly with a realistic creation that reproduce the post-tsunami turmoil. The melancholy sound score supports each and every character from start to end.

Naomi Watts presents one of her finest and most physically challenging roles. Ewan McGregor has a limited role but still delivers a gracious performance. Teenage newcomer Tom Holland impresses the most with his over the top performance whose cinematic debut is nothing short of extraordinary. With his face so expressive, it narrates a story with no words. Emotions and fears run through his eyes.

'The Impossible' serves as a dramatic reminder of how fragile, fleeting and precious life is and the movie is infused with suffering, courage and compassion.

You will be hearing a lot about this film, so why not remind yourself how precious and frail life can be.