The Impossible (***1/2 out of ****)

Every three years or so the Spanish film industry make a big english language film. The Impossible was  this project and it turned out immensely. As far as the production value goes the tsunami and the after affect scenery is hauntingly dazzling. The is of course the story of said tsunami that hit southeast asia several years ago and the film focuses on the events one family experienced. One could question why focus a film on a upper class white family in foreign location, but many lives were affected, not just locals, so focusing on that detail seems like creating an argument for the sake of it. Still the harrowing quest for survival and to be reunited is terrific cinema. Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor play as parents to a family of three young boys (child actor Tom Holland is magnificent) that are staying at beach resort during the disaster. All the cast are perfect in their roles. The two things the film needed to be successful was emotional involving characters and a understanding of its surrounding (meaning good production values), and it certainly had it. Naomi Watts gives an emotional tour de force of a performance and McGregor is not far behind. Only the last ten tearjerking minutes seem like a weak point. Heartfelt and engaging this is not one to miss.

***1/2 out of ****