The Impossible

“The Impossible” stars Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor in this story of a husband,, wife and their 3 boys caught in the swirl and devastation of the tsunami which hit the country of Thailand where they were vacationing. The awesomeness of the ocean and its wrath is captured quite adequately by the camera and the viewer is indeed enmeshed in the ruins and chaos that follows.  Based on a true story, the film, much like Argo and other real life events adapted for film, uses these true episodes and then adds the “Hollywood touch” with a series of coincidences and dramas that enhance what really happened.  The success of the film is due largely to the performances of the 3 boys for they execute their roles admirably. However, in an almost Rube Goldberg-like

series of meetings and misses, the film ultimately unites its family members. The story is just that, nothing deeper or more meaningful than the ability and luck, and for the most part luck, for these 5 to experience and survive this watery nightmare. I give the film 2 and ½ stars with much of the rating attributable  to the visual effects and the performance of 3 very fine young actors.