The Impossible - B+

Rated PG-13, 113 minutes

"The Impossible" is a harrowing, gripping tale of family survival

The superbly acted, engrossing "The Impossible" tells the true story of a family's survival of the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami in Thailand. Harrowing, difficult to watch and ultimately uplifting, it's a vivid, memorable portrait of a family struggling to survive and find each other. Maria (Naomi Watts) and Henry (Ewan McGregor) and their three young sons, Lucas (Tom Holland), Thomas (Samuel Joslin) and Simon (Oaklee Pendergast) are in Thailand spending their Christmas vacation at a beachside resort. A deadly tsunami strikes separating the family from each other; remarkably, all are alive, with a near gravely wounded Maria and Lucas in a remote village while Henry, Thomas and Simon are still stranded at the resort. Widespread damage and disastrous conditions make it impossible for them to find each other again, but somehow they find a way. "The Impossible" could've ended up a derivative, maudlin TV-movie-of-the-week tropical disaster is instead a captivating, satisfying true tale of a family determined to stay together. Directed by Juan Antonio Bayona ("The Orphanage"), it's based on the story of the Belon family, a Spanish family (updated to Anglo here to make the story more universal) who survived the 2004 tsunami.  The excellent performances from the principals, particularly Watts, McGregor and young Holland, carry the film memorably, though the real star may be the spectacular but chilling recreation of the tsunami, done mostly with CGI and bookending the film. Though the story itself carries little surprise and more predictability than usual, the actors keep you engaged until the end, which is an old-style, guaranteed three-hanky (or more) finale. "The Impossible" is a gripping, poignant tale that comes recommended for the strong performances and the amazing special effects.

Wes's Grade: B+