Oscar Watch: "The Impossible"

The Impossible
Nominated for: Best Actress (Naomi Watts)

The Impossible is a difficult film to watch at times. It details the life of a family during a vacation to Thailand, and the ensuing difficulties they faced after the tsunami hit. It's a story of struggle, and some parts are so well-done, it's heartbreaking. By making the family the emotional core of the story, and a lens through which to see this tragedy, it finds a very heartfelt, tender focus.

The actual tsunami hitting the resort itself was painful to watch. Just seeing the impact of that destruction, the power of the water, people, buildings, and trees being swept away; it was very well done. The subsequent struggle of the father (Ewan McGregor, in good form) trying to find his wife and son, or of Naomi Watts struggle to stay alive for her family, is what kept me invested in the film.

Watts's acting was very good. She portrayed the loss and hurt very well. Looking at the competition she's up against, I think Riva and Lawrence hold the most competition. They both portrayed depth to their characters, in different ways. Let's not talk about Wallis, who was good in a terrible film, in my opinion. And Chastain was good, but her role wasn't as emotionally robust as the others. I think Watts may have a good chance, if they go based on acting itself. But, it being the oscars, who knows what they're gonna do.

Anyway, this was a good movie, and filmed so well by focusing on the family through this tragedy. An interesting side note, that they cast these actors, as the original family was Spanish. But it seems they needed funding by casting more international actors, plus it helped transcend ethnicity and making it more of a universal struggle. Good film.