DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
The Impossible
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The Impossible starring Academy Award nominee Naomi Watts & Ewan McGregor

We saw The Impossible last night.
And that was some experience.

I waited so long to see this awards contender, honestly, because I’m not a fan of tsunamis, and especially when they’re caused by earthquakes. I live in LaLa Land now. The ground shakes every now and then. When we first moved here and were looking for a home, we looked at an area close to the beach and I noticed tsunami warning signs. Needless to say, your girl kept it moving.

So, the possibility of sitting through 1 hour and 47 minutes of drama caused by an inescapable wall of water that surged from an earthquake wasn’t necessarily a top priority on my list. I sometimes delay those “And this horror could actually happen to you too!” films. LOL.

But it was a complimentary screening. And Naomi Watts was just announced last week as an Academy Award nominee for Best Actress in a Leading Role, and I felt compelled to see her performance. (She’s up against Quvenzhané Wallis, The Youngest Best Actress Nominee Ever, remember?)
Hence, we sat down to see this impossible journey, based on a true story.

THE IMPOSSIBLE

The official film synopsis reads:
Maria, Henry and their three sons begin their winter vacation in Thailand, looking forward to a few days in tropical paradise. But on the morning of December 26th, as the family relaxes around the pool after their Christmas festivities the night before, a terrifying roar rises up from the center of the earth. As Maria freezes in fear, a huge wall of black water races across the hotel grounds toward her.

The poster says, “Separated by disaster, Driven by Hope.”
The trailer says, “Nothing more powerful than the human spirit.”

We know the beginning and end before we ever watch the film. It’s the middle that we stick around for. The question is ‘HOW did this family survive’? That’s what the movie is about.

PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE

When interviewed, María Belón, the real-life mom-heroine said, “The film is about people helping people.”

I think it also heralds the theme that is evident in many of the top ten best-selling films of all times: Avatar, Titanic, The Avengers, Transformers, Dark Knight Rises. That theme is one of someone being willing to give their life for another.

Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:13

The film is not religious in any way and does not mention God or faith, but the story reiterates this theme of sacrifice again and again and it resonates with all of us.

One Caution, Maybe Two

The Impossible is rated PG-13: for intense realistic disaster sequences, including disturbing injury images and brief nudity. As one reviewer said, “This is not for the squeamish”. So true. Just like Beasts of the Southern Wild, there are children in the film, but I would be very cautious to take children to see this film.

And similar to ARGO, even though The Impossible is based on a true story, the film does not portray the actual ethnicity of the real family. The true family is Spanish with dark hair. The actors are British and blond. Just saying.

JOURNEY WORTH TAKING

I had concluded last month that Our Award Films Need More Hope. This one has hope. It’s a journey worth taking, if you’re okay with lots of water. :=)

Onward & Upward,
Naima

Have you seen the film? What did you think?
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