Go See: The Impossible

Whatever you do, just make sure you have some tissues on hand because "The Impossible" is a tear-jerker, with this film being based on a true story, it tugs at the heart strings a little more. And, wow, and what a cast!  Naomi Watts plays Maria Bennett (nominated for an Oscar, SAG and Golden Globes this year for this role!) and Ewan McGregor as her husband, Henry Bennett.  But one little actor who nearly steals the show is Tom Holland who plays the eldest son, Lucas Bennett.  While he may not seem familiar to us stateside folk, those over the pond know him as the kid who starred in the UK run of "Billy Elliot the Musical".

This film is about the tsunami that hits an island in Thailand on December 26th, 2004.  Having recently been to the island of Ko Phi Phi, it is hard to fathom 18 foot waves demolishing the land.  But the thai people are strong and resilient.  If you visit, you might have never known that the island was devastated eight years ago except for a lot of Tsunami Warning signs.

"The Impossible" was directed by spanish director Juan Antonio Bayona (he directed "The Orphanage").  According to wikipedia, "The tsunami was recreated with a mixture of digital effects and real water surges using miniatures that were destroyed by a huge wave created in a water tank in Spain. Bayona later admitted it was "crazy" to commit to working with real water rather than a computer generated wave, but he wanted the story to be authentic. This meant Naomi Watts and Tom Holland, who play mother and son Maria and Lucas, were gulping water in a massive water tank for five weeks".  I'd love to see behind-the-scenes footage because I have no idea how they simulated the waves, flooding, etc.  So fascinating!