As the story progresses we do move away from Maria and Lucas and get to see other survivors, many of whom are orphaned children. We also witness the small local hospital and its staff trying to cope with hundreds of victims, some of whom are beyond help. Bayona captures their frustration but also their dogged efforts to do their best under horrific circumstances.
For those of us here in the New York area, viewing this film is unsettling because we can relate to having survived our own tsunami (Hurricane Sandy brought this kind of devastation here). I think many people will cry when they see this film because of Bayona’s fine direction and the impressive acting, but New Yorkers in particular because it strikes close to home.
The chaos, the hopelessness, and destruction are all chronicled here, yet the uniquely determined human spirit and will to survive is what makes the story unforgettable. You will be haunted by the way a family can be ripped apart, but you will also remember a mother and son’s bond and love that bring them together in order to survive.
How the simply amazing cinematography of Oscar Faura and Fernando Velazquez’s exquisite and haunting original score are not nominated for Oscars boggles my mind. I also do not understand how The Impossible was also not nominated for best film. I mean, I enjoyed Django Unchained but it is in no way in the same category as others nominated this year, but The Impossible certainly deserves to stand among them.
I have sometimes heard a film can be life altering, and I must say that is true of The Impossible. Go see it and realize the fragility of life and how in one second your whole world can be changed forever. I guarantee you will feel changed too as you walk out of the theater and want to run home and hug those who are dear to you. I know I did.
Photo Credits: Summit Entertainment
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Article comments
1 - Anonymous
Did you really just compare hurricane sandy to the tsunami of 2004?
2 - dorcas guinabo
Excellent thumbs up-.thanks very good artist
director really i am amaze love to watch with
my kids. My kids relate the movie and thingking
what to do f they are the one as lucas did.
3 - Ian walker
This is a truly thought provoking movie and very hard to watch due to the incredible realism
4 - Anonymous
" because we can relate to having survived our own tsunami (Hurricane Sandy brought this kind of devastation here"
That is a ridiculous inaccurate statement and clearly with all the intense realism in the film,you barely scratched the surface on what real destruction the tsunami caused in 2004.