For Mother Nature anything is possible

water, resulting in a massive tsunami that ripped through the region, razing lush wilderness and luxury resorts packed with vacationing families.

Thousandsofpeoplewere killed and many more were lefthomelessbyawallofroaring, churning water.

“This is the true story of one of those families,” declares The Impossible, a harrowing drama about five people caught up in the disaster, who mustered formidable strength and courage to search for each other amid scenes of heartbreaking loss.

Adapted by screenwriter Sergio G Sanchez from the nightmarish recollections of survivors Maria and Enrique Belon, JuanAntoniaBayona’s filmpacksamightyemotional punch with every expertly crafted frame.

Henry ( Ewan McGregor) and Maria ( Naomi Watts) arrive in the tropical paradise of Thailand with their three sons, Lucas ( Tom Holland), Thomas ( Samuel Joslin) and Simon ( Oaklee Pendergast).

They open Christmas presents on the patio overlooking the sea, unaware of the horror to come. The following day, flocks of terrified birds take to the skies, heralding a wall of water that careersthroughthecomplex.

Maria and Lucas are carried away by the surge and when the water eventually recedes, they hobblethrough mudanddetritusinsearchof survivors.

Meanwhile, Henry i s forced to leave his twoyoungest boys in the care of strangers in order to learn the fate of his wife and eldest child.

Directed with aplomb by Bayona, Watts wrings out copious tears while McGregor has the less showy role but still tugs heartstrings with an anguished telephone call backhometodistraughtrelatives, his voice cracking with every shell- shocked word.

Teenage newcomer Holland impresses most, bearing the emotional weight of deeply moving scenes as if he has been acting all of his life.