What’s
impossible to believe is the filmmakers of this dramatic disaster film didn’t
shoot it during an actual tsunami. This is an impressive film
directed by J.A. Bayona, an emotionally grueling story about an unbreakable
family bond during a horrific situation. Ewan McGregor and Naomi Watts
play parents to three boys who take a Christmas vacation in
Thailand. While playing in the resort pool they experience the 2004
Indian Ocean tsunami. The spectacle of waves slamming into people
and then the following surge of water pulling and carrying off debris out into
sea is fearful to behold, especially from the point of view of a mother trying
to save her son. Next to this amazing special effect are the remarkable
performances from all involved, with Mrs. Watts and Mr. McGregor giving the
kind of performances that I will never forget. Juan Antonio Bayona
even succeeds in helping his younger actors achieve the kind of performance
that most veterans would envy. A less connected cast under a less
talented directed may have turned this true story into a sentimental sob story
but instead we have a work of art that dramatically tells a story that honors
those who suffered this tragic event. I’ve read online about
the artistic liberties the filmmakers took on Maria Belon’s story but none of
them take away the brilliance of this film. Grade: A
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