The Impossible

Yesterday, despite the bitter Chicago cold (9F yesterday, 2F today), I went to watch The Impossible  with a friend. I am a little biased because it is a Spanish production with a Spanish director, Juan Antonio Bayona. But I think that it is objectively a great movie. The way Bayona builds up the tension since the beginning is masterful, considering that we know what is about to happen. But still, since the first image he puts you in a state of alert. Of course he brings this from his experience as a director of a horror movie, The Oprhanage. But The Impossible is not a horror movie, although it's set in an scenario that surpasses most horror movies I have seen. The worse part, the one that gives you chills even watching the trailer, is that it was a true scenario that all of us watched in disbelief eight years ago, when the tsunami happened. But it is also due to the fact that it is a true story that it moves us so much, because at the end of the day, it is not a disaster movie per se, but a movie about human emotions, feelings, endurance.  It's the story of a real family, a Spanish family, who were written in the movie as an English family. They all do an incredible job, particularly Tom Holland, who portrays the oldest of the children, and who is able to transmit a full rage of feelings, from the deepest sadness and fear, to pure and absolute joy. I don't cry on films, but a couple of tears escaped during this one. I have young children too, and I couldn't avoid thinking about them. It left me wondering, what would I do in their situation? Who would I want to be with? If you haven't, you should definitely watch it, and do it in a theater, the DVD experience won't be the same. If you are not drawn by the story, Ewan McGregor's presence on it should be enough of a reason. I may watch it a second time.
Now, back to preparing my classes.