The Impossible

“Nothing is more powerful than the human spirit.”

Written by Sergio G. Sanchez and Maria Belon and directed by J.A. Bayonne, ‘The Impossible’ starring Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor was an unforgettable and gripping film that was nominated for 1 Oscar, nominated for 61 other awards and received 27 wins in 2012. This story was based on a true one and after complete destruction and separation it is one tragic family’s tale remembered. 

This Drama/Thriller was absolutely disturbing and horrifying to think about but was so beautifully told and shot that it kept viewers glued despite the chaotic circumstances. With an estimated budget of 30 million Euros they were able to make back $180 million USD worldwide. Mediaset Espana, Summit Entertainment, Apaches Entertainment among others stood by to help produce this film. With a run-time of 114 minutes Naomi Watts, Ewan McGregor, Tom Holland, Samuel Joslin and Oaklee Pendergast made the audience completely believe that they were a real family and that they fought their hardest to stay together. 

This film really gave a first-hand account of what the tsunami in Thailand was like and what this family and many other families may have experienced. It was rated PG-13 because of graphic injury images, brief nudity and intense disaster sequences. McGregor and Watts shone remarkably in this film; just another testament of their acting abilities and their incredible portrayals of this family that they were able to bring to light. I think I was most touched by the camera-work in this film; camera man Sergi Bartroli and all others in the Camera and Electrical department truly brought focus and beauty despite the distressing subject matter. 

Down now as one of the favourites of ‘JourneywithJair Films’. Enjoy!

Adore

Perhaps some young men’s fantasy, this story written by a man named Christopher James Hampton from Portugal and adapted into screenplay by the well-known Anne Fontaine (Chloe, Coco Before Chanel) from Luxembourg; this 2013 drama was disturbing to the max yet viewers found it hard to rip their eyes from the screens. Although they didn’t make it big at the box-office this story was so provocative and insanely sensational that it got 5 nominations that year and even more buzz with it’s numerous reviews. Mothers who are life-long friends who fall in love with each other’s sons’; is enough to raise quite a few eye-brows! But it is a topic like this that gets people talking and furthermore confronts the philosopher Freud in all of us.

Set in a suburb of paradise Australia by the sea and paired off with chiseled surfer actors Xavier Samuel and James Frecheville. If the story doesn’t spark some interest the lovely aesthetics will. Oscar nominated English actress Naomi Watts and Golden Globe winner American actress Robin Wright play the adults with lusty emotions. Rated R for sexual language and content this is not a family bonding type film.

This is Fontaine’s first film directed completely in English and she does an excellent job with weaving this controversial tale into a thought-provoking masterpiece. Magnetic and fascinating to say the least but unbelievable in many respects; not just by the relationships ensued but simply by the seemingly comfort this family had despite the tensions and conflicts it would cause in society not to mention the safe and wealthy lifestyles they all lived in. I found it difficult to connect with the overwhelming and unexpected desperation and loneliness that lead our main characters to make infantile decisions.

Exquisite cinematography of surfy/beachy landscapes and architecture, incredible, unsettling and an astonishing story; and decent acting displayed; this is a film with which although I disagree with 100% ; I feel it’s a fantastic recipe of posing questions about morality and ethics! Enjoy! 

21 Grams

"How many lives do we live? How many times do we die? They say we all lose 21 grams at the exact moment of our death. Everyone. And how much fits into 21 grams? How much is lost? When do we lose 21 grams? How much goes with them? How much is gained? How much is gained? 21 grams. The weight of a stack of 5 nickels. The weight of a humming bird. A chocolate bar. How much does 21 grams weigh?"

Written by Mexican Guillermo Arriaga, and Directed by Mexican Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu this disturbing and touching crime/drama/thriller was nominated for 2 Oscars and 36 other nominations and another 28 wins in 2003. Showcasing acting powerhouses like English Naomi Watts, Puerto Rican Benicio Del Toro and American Sean Penn, this 2003 film shows how 3 people's lives cross in the most daunting of circumstances and how their love, bravery, desires and faith are tested to their highest capacities ever.

With a budget of $20 million USD and a run-time of 124 minutes the film switches back and forth through time to show the weight of the subject as well as the reason of how our 3 main actors' paths meet in the first place. Exquisite camera angles and lovely cinematography sunsets with the flight of birds, film-makers go beyond the usual routine and shoot something massively intriguing. I absolutely love the moment when all 3, Paul Rivers (played by Penn), Christina Peck (Watts) and Jack Jordan (Del Toro) combat each other and despite it's high energy, the sound is completely mute.

Serious subject matter, language, and nudity but fascinating from start to finish.

Viva la Mexico for marvelous film-making! :)