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The Impossible (2012)
"Lo imposible" (original title)

7.6
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Ratings: 7.6/10 from 67,738 users   Metascore: 73/100
Reviews: 228 user | 311 critic | 42 from Metacritic.com

The story of a tourist family in Thailand caught in the destruction and chaotic aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

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(screenplay), (story)
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Title: The Impossible (2012)

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Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 23 wins & 35 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
...
...
...
...
...
Simone
...
Karl
...
Old Woman
...
Caregiver
Jomjaoi Sae-Limh ...
Red Cross Nurse
Johan Sundberg ...
...
La-Orng Thongruang ...
Old Thai Man
Tor Klathaley ...
Young Thai Man
Douglas Johansson ...
Mr. Benstrom
Edit

Storyline

A regular family - Maria (Naomi Watts), Henry (Ewan McGregor) and their three kids - travel to Thailand to spend Christmas. They get an upgrade to a villa on the coastline. After settling in and exchanging gifts, they go to the pool, like so many other tourists. A perfect paradise vacation until a distant noise becomes a roar. There is no time to escape from the tsunami; Maria and her eldest are swept one way, Henry and the youngest another. Who will survive, and what will become of them? Written by Ronaldo Ferreira

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

Nothing is more powerful than the human spirit.


Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for intense realistic disaster sequences, including disturbing injury images and brief nudity | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Official Sites:

| |  »

Country:

Language:

| |

Release Date:

4 January 2013 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

The Impossible  »

Box Office

Budget:

€30,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$143,818 (USA) (21 December 2012)

Gross:

$18,996,755 (USA) (12 April 2013)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

|

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The crew filmed partially on location at the actual resort, since rebuilt, where the Belon family was vacationing when the tsunami hit. For the tsunami destruction scenes, a scaled model of the resort was used. See more »

Goofs

When Lucas is speaking to his mother Maria in the plane on the way back home, the oxygen bottles behind the bed displays 0 bar. See more »

Quotes

Henry: But you know, you know, the most scary bit for me?
Thomas: When the water hit?
Henry: No. After that, when I came up, I was on my own. That was the scariest part. And when I saw the two of you clinging to the tree, I didn't feel so scared anymore. I knew I wasn't on my own. You see?
See more »

Crazy Credits

The title and the rest of the credits do not appear until the end of the film. The only credits that appear at the beginning are the production companies' logos and an explanation of how the Tsunami came about. See more »

Connections

Referenced in Saturday Night Live: Jennifer Lawrence/The Lumineers (2013) See more »

Soundtracks

"KAMALANI"
Written by Rivera and Larry
Performed by Israel Kamakewiwo 'ole
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

 
Tearjerking; The Impossible
11 February 2013 | by (United Kingdom) – See all my reviews

On vacation at an exotic resort in Thailand, a family of 5 are torn apart by a large tsunami that rips the island apart. The mother, played by Naomi Watts and oldest of the three sons do their best to survive while the father, played by Ewan McGregor, juggles between the safety of his two boys and the search for his wife and missing son.

Director Juan Antonio Bayona vividly shares the shocking and yet, miraculous story of the Alvarez family. The cinematography when the tsunami sweeps in is nothing short of stunning and captivating. A glimpse of the sheer force and destruction behind this natural disaster will undoubtedly leave you breathless. Watts delivers a strong performance as does McGregor but the stand out here, besides the cinematography, is the brilliant and mature portrayal of the oldest son by young, Tom Holland.

An emotional tearjerker, The Impossible is a brilliant film, which will have you glued to the screen as you root against the odds while simultaneously fearing the worst. The fact that it's based on a true story is a testament of the human spirit and the bond of a family.

The Impossible is definitely one to watch.


12 of 14 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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