The historic tsunami that struck Southeast Asia on the day after Christmas in 2004 is chronicled in this film, which personalizes the event through the eyes of one family, the Bennetts (changed from the actual Spanish names, to give a more universal appeal). Henry (Ewen McGregor), his wife Maria (Naomi Watts) and their three boys have travelled to Thailand for a Christmas holiday, staying at a resort on the Indian Ocean. They have settled in, and are enjoying the start of their holiday when, at 10:25 am, a tsunami triggered by a massive earthquake inundated their resort and miles of the surrounding coastline. The family is immediately broken apart, and scattered, although Maria and her son Lucas survive the devastation together, and are rescued by local Thais, and brought, eventually, to a hospital. Maria is seriously hurt, but Lucas suffered only minor injuries. The film focuses on the efforts of Maria and the rest of the family to survive and regroup amidst the terror and confusion of the horrific calamity.
It's a compelling tale, and gives us an inside look at a disaster and the aftermath. There is much doubt throughout the film as to the outcome of each character, and the film is sensitive and insightful regarding the logistics of getting aid to victims, the role of the local population in handling the difficulties of managing the fates not only of their own people, but the thousands of visitors who, in many cases, spoke not one word of Thai.
The film is effective and touching. Most people seemed to be doing the best they could under the circumstances, and the rescue effort seemed remarkably free of the selfishness and price gouging that might be expected elsewhere (not that that didn't happen, but it's not seen here).
Special note must be made of the special effects duplicating the actual tsunami. It wasn't an easy task to relate the effects of billions and billions of gallons of seawater had on the low-lying land, but they did a very good job here, on a fairly limited budget.
The film was directed by Antonio Bayona, and based on the esperience of Maria Belon.
The film is rated PG-13 for somewhat graphic scenes of disaster victims and brief nudity
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