Author |
Message |
trixster
loyalfromlondon
Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 6:31 pm Posts: 19697 Location: ville-marie
|
The Impossible
The ImpossibleQuote: The Impossible (Spanish: Lo Imposible) is a 2012 English-language Spanish disaster drama film directed by Juan Antonio Bayona from a screenplay written by Sergio G. Sánchez, starring Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor. It tells the true story of a Spanish (though portrayed as British) family's experience of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
The Impossible had its world premiere at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival on September 9, where it received critical acclaim. The film was released on October 11, 2012 in Spain and in North America on December 21, 2012 by Summit Entertainment.
The film marks the second collaboration between Watts and McGregor after appearing together in the 2005 film Stay.
_________________Magic Mike wrote: zwackerm wrote: If John Wick 2 even makes 30 million I will eat 1,000 shoes. Same. Algren wrote: I don't think. I predict.
|
Mon Dec 24, 2012 2:03 pm |
|
|
David
Pure Phase
Joined: Tue Feb 15, 2005 7:33 am Posts: 34865 Location: Maryland
|
Re: The Impossible
This is an amazing production of a solid film. As an audio and visual experience, it is spectacular, placing the audience square in the center of an aquatic natural disaster. In particular, each sonic detail (each crash, each scream, each rush of the wave) is spot-on. I suspect few theatre armrests will remain unclenched during the film's first two acts. As a drama, it is suitable, though I must admit I began to grow tired of the tight, borderline religious focus on this one vacationing British clan and their series of miraculous right turns at the expense of a larger vision of a nation in the aftermath of natural disaster. Strong, though, in my opinion, not Oscar worthy, performances by Naomi Watts, Ewan McGregor, and bright newcomer Tom Holland help, but just to a certain extent. Despite the fact a claim of truth lingers on the screen for a minute at the start, the film tends to argue with its own intense verisimilitude via grating moments of adorable movie magic.
B-
_________________1. The Lost City of Z - 2. A Cure for Wellness - 3. Phantom Thread - 4. T2 Trainspotting - 5. Detroit - 6. Good Time - 7. The Beguiled - 8. The Florida Project - 9. Logan and 10. Molly's Game
|
Mon Dec 24, 2012 2:05 pm |
|
|
erikdean
The Dark Knight
Joined: Thu Jan 05, 2012 12:59 pm Posts: 721 Location: Different places!
|
Re: The Impossible
One of the worst films of the year. A visually incredible spectacle that leaves you feeling grimy and dirty for having marveled at the recreation of the tsunami wave and its destruction.
I fucking hated this.
_________________
|
Mon Dec 24, 2012 2:48 pm |
|
|
Mau
100% That Bitch
Joined: Wed Dec 17, 2008 3:42 pm Posts: 16898 Location: Monterrey, Mexico
|
Re: The Impossible
A+
LOVED this film. One of my favorites from th year only behind TDKR.
_________________ Tongue Pop!
I kneel with Magnus.
|
Mon Dec 31, 2012 2:53 am |
|
|
Libs
Sbil
Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2004 3:38 pm Posts: 48626 Location: Arlington, VA
|
Re: The Impossible
A harrowing and emotional tale of survival, The Impossible is VERY unlike the traditional "disaster film." The film's biggest assets, aside from the visceral impact of the tsunami, are the performances by Naomi Watts and young Tom Holland. Watts has to do a lot of her acting with just her facial expressions, and nails the despair and uncertainty facing someone hurt in an extreme situation. Equally as impressive is Holland as her oldest son, who must grow up extremely fast in a short amount of time. The film is not perfect, however, chiefly because of the shift in perspective partway through. After the tsunami, the film spends the immediate aftermath on Watts and Holland's more extreme situation. When the action shifts to Ewan McGregor searching for them, it's not quite as compelling. That's no fault of McGregor, who is quite good in the part. Despite this, it's a solid and exciting film. Watts looks destined for an Oscar nomination but her young co-star would deserve one too. B+
|
Sat Jan 05, 2013 10:35 pm |
|
|
Mannyisthebest
Forum General
Joined: Wed May 10, 2006 3:53 pm Posts: 8636 Location: Toronto, Canada
|
Re: The Impossible
"One of the worst films of the year. A visually incredible spectacle that leaves you feeling grimy and dirty for having marveled at the recreation of the tsunami wave and its destruction. "
The Tsunami was not over dramatic, the one that that exact location Khao Lak? was quite violent due to the geography of that area. If you watch the video Tsunami on youtube (has 32 million views or so), it shows the Tsunami hitting that area and you see the power and you are amazed and scared by that power.
The film's disaster scene and first half were excellent.
The use of actual water made the disaster look quite scary and real...
The film becomes a bit typical after the 2nd half... However if your interested in a disaster film some heart, this is a good find.
B+
The Tsunami of 2004 is a disaster that will be always remember for its massive scale of destruction across many countries. Also the fact over 9,000 foriegn citizens were called made the disaster a global one.
_________________The Dark Prince
|
Tue Jan 08, 2013 1:38 pm |
|
|
Dr. Lecter
You must have big rats
Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2004 4:28 pm Posts: 92093 Location: Bonn, Germany
|
Re: The Impossible
It is an emotionally manipulative film, for sure. But it also really worked for me. I felt with all the characters and Tom Holland was terrific.
_________________The greatest thing on earth is to love and to be loved in return!
|
Tue Jan 08, 2013 1:48 pm |
|
|
Mannyisthebest
Forum General
Joined: Wed May 10, 2006 3:53 pm Posts: 8636 Location: Toronto, Canada
|
Re: The Impossible
What was the budget on the film.
The Tsunami scene was very well done.
_________________The Dark Prince
|
Tue Jan 08, 2013 2:23 pm |
|
|
trixster
loyalfromlondon
Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 6:31 pm Posts: 19697 Location: ville-marie
|
Re: The Impossible
Does nobody care just how racist this film is?
_________________Magic Mike wrote: zwackerm wrote: If John Wick 2 even makes 30 million I will eat 1,000 shoes. Same. Algren wrote: I don't think. I predict.
|
Fri Jan 11, 2013 11:07 am |
|
|
nghtvsn
Extraordinary
Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2005 7:13 pm Posts: 11015 Location: Warren Theatre Oklahoma
|
Re: The Impossible
trixster wrote: Does nobody care just how racist this film is? How so?
_________________ 2009 World of KJ Fantasy Football World Champion Team MVP : Peyton Manning : Record 11-5 : Points 2669.00 [b]FREE KORRGAN 45TH PRESIDENT OF THE U.S.A. DONALD J. TRUMP #MAGA #KAG! 10,000 post achieved on - Posted: Wed May 16, 2018 7:49 pm
|
Fri Jan 11, 2013 11:48 am |
|
|
Libs
Sbil
Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2004 3:38 pm Posts: 48626 Location: Arlington, VA
|
Re: The Impossible
I'm assuming trixster is referring to either depicting a white family's suffering or changing the actual family's nationalities from Spanish to British in the film.
Neither bother me for various reasons, but I'm guessing that's what he meant. Correct me if I'm wrong, trixster.
|
Fri Jan 11, 2013 12:14 pm |
|
|
David
Pure Phase
Joined: Tue Feb 15, 2005 7:33 am Posts: 34865 Location: Maryland
|
Re: The Impossible
Perhaps he is referring to the film's indifference toward the Thai population, who are only shown serving the entitled white vacationers.
_________________1. The Lost City of Z - 2. A Cure for Wellness - 3. Phantom Thread - 4. T2 Trainspotting - 5. Detroit - 6. Good Time - 7. The Beguiled - 8. The Florida Project - 9. Logan and 10. Molly's Game
|
Fri Jan 11, 2013 2:06 pm |
|
|
Argos
Z
Joined: Sat May 13, 2006 2:20 pm Posts: 7952 Location: Wherever he went, including here, it was against his better judgment.
|
Re: The Impossible
trixster wrote: Does nobody care just how racist this film is? No, because it is all in your head.
_________________ "Der Lebenslauf des Menschen besteht darin, dass er, von der Hoffnung genarrt, dem Tod in die Arme tanzt." - Arthur Schopenhauer
|
Fri Jan 11, 2013 2:14 pm |
|
|
Mannyisthebest
Forum General
Joined: Wed May 10, 2006 3:53 pm Posts: 8636 Location: Toronto, Canada
|
Re: The Impossible
Quote: Does nobody care just how racist this film is? Seriousily, stop with the faux outrage and white guilt... I watched the film and did not find it racist as it was told from the frame of mind of Europeans. If a disaster struck, you always long for home.
_________________The Dark Prince
|
Fri Jan 11, 2013 4:29 pm |
|
|
trixster
loyalfromlondon
Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 6:31 pm Posts: 19697 Location: ville-marie
|
Re: The Impossible
David wrote: Perhaps he is referring to the film's indifference toward the Thai population, who are only shown serving the entitled white vacationers. That's basically what I meant. Never mind the invocation of horrifying, real-life imagery for the purposes of cinematic spectacle. The film basically boils down the tsunami to the survival of one white, rich, English family. Who cares if hundreds of thousands of people died? As long as the Caucasians survived, all is right in the world.
_________________Magic Mike wrote: zwackerm wrote: If John Wick 2 even makes 30 million I will eat 1,000 shoes. Same. Algren wrote: I don't think. I predict.
|
Fri Jan 11, 2013 4:37 pm |
|
|
Libs
Sbil
Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2004 3:38 pm Posts: 48626 Location: Arlington, VA
|
Re: The Impossible
trixster wrote: David wrote: Perhaps he is referring to the film's indifference toward the Thai population, who are only shown serving the entitled white vacationers. That's basically what I meant. Never mind the invocation of horrifying, real-life imagery for the purposes of cinematic spectacle. The film basically boils down the tsunami to the survival of one white, rich, English family. Who cares if hundreds of thousands of people died? As long as the Caucasians survived, all is right in the world. It's a real family's story, though. Other than changing the ethnicity of the family, apparently the film stays largely true to what they experienced. I don't think the movie ever takes the blase approach to writing off the many, many people killed by the tsunami you point out here. In fact, I think the entire last shot of the film (panning out the plane window) is making the point that this family survived largely intact but the lives of hundreds of thousands of others are forever impacted.
|
Fri Jan 11, 2013 4:52 pm |
|
|
David
Pure Phase
Joined: Tue Feb 15, 2005 7:33 am Posts: 34865 Location: Maryland
|
Re: The Impossible
I see more of what trixster is saying in the final scene. Ah, the beautiful white light cleansing the nice English family as they fly away on what seems to be a private chartered jet, escaping the danger and filth of Thailand and sure to spend next Christmas in Aspen. I shy from describing the film as outright racist because I am a coward , but, to quote myself, "I began to grow tired of the tight, borderline religious focus on this one vacationing British clan." The film's fixation on European suffering becomes claustrophobic.
_________________1. The Lost City of Z - 2. A Cure for Wellness - 3. Phantom Thread - 4. T2 Trainspotting - 5. Detroit - 6. Good Time - 7. The Beguiled - 8. The Florida Project - 9. Logan and 10. Molly's Game
|
Sat Jan 12, 2013 4:30 am |
|
|
Argos
Z
Joined: Sat May 13, 2006 2:20 pm Posts: 7952 Location: Wherever he went, including here, it was against his better judgment.
|
Re: The Impossible
You seem to be as paranoid about racism as most Germans are about antisemitism.
_________________ "Der Lebenslauf des Menschen besteht darin, dass er, von der Hoffnung genarrt, dem Tod in die Arme tanzt." - Arthur Schopenhauer
|
Sat Jan 12, 2013 4:41 am |
|
|
Mannyisthebest
Forum General
Joined: Wed May 10, 2006 3:53 pm Posts: 8636 Location: Toronto, Canada
|
Re: The Impossible
No the film actually takes a bit of somber mood...
Showing even though this family face such adversity it still was one of the lucky ones...
_________________The Dark Prince
|
Sat Jan 12, 2013 10:58 am |
|
|
erikdean
The Dark Knight
Joined: Thu Jan 05, 2012 12:59 pm Posts: 721 Location: Different places!
|
Re: The Impossible
Mannyisthebest wrote: "One of the worst films of the year. A visually incredible spectacle that leaves you feeling grimy and dirty for having marveled at the recreation of the tsunami wave and its destruction. "
The Tsunami was not over dramatic, the one that that exact location Khao Lak? was quite violent due to the geography of that area. If you watch the video Tsunami on youtube (has 32 million views or so), it shows the Tsunami hitting that area and you see the power and you are amazed and scared by that power.
The film's disaster scene and first half were excellent.
The use of actual water made the disaster look quite scary and real...
The film becomes a bit typical after the 2nd half... However if your interested in a disaster film some heart, this is a good find.
B+
The Tsunami of 2004 is a disaster that will be always remember for its massive scale of destruction across many countries. Also the fact over 9,000 foriegn citizens were called made the disaster a global one. It's ironic that you took the time to (incorrectly) quote my comment to criticize but then go on to say exactly what my complaint was. The tsunami sequence was a technical marvel, to be sure, but once it was done you're left less interested by the actual plight of the people in the aftermath.
_________________
|
Sat Jan 12, 2013 1:47 pm |
|
|
Mannyisthebest
Forum General
Joined: Wed May 10, 2006 3:53 pm Posts: 8636 Location: Toronto, Canada
|
Re: The Impossible
that was Titanic to most males ^^^
_________________The Dark Prince
|
Sat Jan 12, 2013 4:25 pm |
|
|
Magic Mike
Wallflower
Joined: Mon Oct 25, 2004 4:53 am Posts: 34876 Location: Minnesota
|
Re: The Impossible
One of the best films of the year. It's really beautiful. I found the relationship between mother and son extremely touching. Naomi Watts is really great here, but even better is young Tom Holland. I was blown away by him. He has a very bright future ahead of him. Ewan McGregor is great as well, especially in a scene where he makes a phone call home.
On a technical level the film is brilliant. How it didn't score several technical nominations from the Academy is beyond me. The sound and production design is some of the best of the year.
I'm disappointed more people aren't seeing this film. It's terrific.
A
|
Sun Jan 13, 2013 5:46 am |
|
|
Algren
now we know
Joined: Tue Oct 19, 2004 9:31 pm Posts: 67043
|
The Impossible
Extremely overrated. The film has some terrible dialogue and didn't really show just how powerful and tragic this disaster was by all of them surviving. I know it's a true story, but it wouldn't have been the first time that movies have changed history to suit its needs, and I think this would have been a perfect opportunity to kill off the two younger kids or the mother. Tom Holland, while his lines were terrible, he didn't really act that well either (apart from a few tears and sobs, he was wooden). I thought that Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor acted well and especially when McGregor broke down in tears on the phone to home, that had me really feeling for him and I was verging on emotional in that scene. The disaster scenes at the beginning were good but could have been better, they didn't wow me like I've been led to believe, and the disaster scenes later with Watts in 'slow-mo' should have been placed with the earlier scenes to beef it up because the tsunami scene is quite short. Plus, I think the movie could have benefitted from showing the tsunami starting under the water, then creeping towards the shore, then show it from the family's perspective in the pool. But kudos for using real water, and the cuts and grazes were all awesome, and hooray for Watts showing some tit in yet another movie - she doesn't seem to be able to keep them covered up.
The script was terrible, full of cringeworthy, unrealistic melodrama. So McGregor spots his 15 year-old son and shouts "Lucas", ok that's fine to get his attention, and Lucas retorts with "dad", all fine, but then they run to each other which takes about 30 seconds and they repeatedly shout each others' names (must be about 6 times each at full volume), why would you do that? You've spotted each other, just shut up and run (and it also happened with Lucas and the brothers' reunion). My eyes rolled. I think that would only happen in a movie. Plus, Lucas seemed a bit too mature for my liking; "No mum, because they're dead!" (seems a bit too levelheaded for a 15 year-old JUST after a tsunami has supposedly killed his family) and "It's ok mum, I'm not going to leave you, I promise, I will be here" (too mature - I don't believe for a second that a 15 year-old would say that), I think the Spanish family who told their story were trying to make heroes out of their children rather than telling the truth. There were more examples, his character was just terribly written - screenwriters have never been able to write children well but here it's even worse than before. I also didn't like how every step of the way people were dropping their own problems to help the central family. As if that would happen. The second-class Thai people were like slaves to them too.
The acting stank from all involved apart from the two leads (yes, not Holland, McGregor and Watts are the leads for me), especially the Thai nurse, she was reading off an autocue, I swear. Overall it was ok, but I don't understand why it's Oscar nominated.
C+
_________________STOP UIGHUR GENOCIDE IN XINJIANG FIGHT FOR TAIWAN INDEPENDENCE FREE TIBET LIBERATE HONG KONG BOYCOTT MADE IN CHINA
|
Sun Jan 13, 2013 9:16 am |
|
|
Argos
Z
Joined: Sat May 13, 2006 2:20 pm Posts: 7952 Location: Wherever he went, including here, it was against his better judgment.
|
Re:
Algren wrote: The script was terrible, full of cringeworthy, unrealistic melodrama. So McGregor spots his 15 year-old son and shouts "Lucas", ok that's fine to get his attention, and Lucas retorts with "dad", all fine, but then they run to each other which takes about 30 seconds and they repeatedly shout each others' names (must be about 6 times each at full volume), why would you do that? Hypothesis: That which enables you to be a racist also makes you a poor film viewer: having difficulty to climb into someone else's skin and walk around in it, a lack of imagination. Hence your preference for films with simple-minded heroes. What do you think?
_________________ "Der Lebenslauf des Menschen besteht darin, dass er, von der Hoffnung genarrt, dem Tod in die Arme tanzt." - Arthur Schopenhauer
|
Sun Jan 13, 2013 10:42 am |
|
|
Algren
now we know
Joined: Tue Oct 19, 2004 9:31 pm Posts: 67043
|
Re: The Impossible
I think you should get a life.
_________________STOP UIGHUR GENOCIDE IN XINJIANG FIGHT FOR TAIWAN INDEPENDENCE FREE TIBET LIBERATE HONG KONG BOYCOTT MADE IN CHINA
|
Sun Jan 13, 2013 11:25 am |
|
|
Who is online |
Users browsing this forum: Google [Bot], stuffp and 224 guests |
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot post attachments in this forum
|
|