The Impossible (2012) - Three act structure

Figure 1. Movie poster (2012)

The Impossible is a disaster film directed by J. A. Bayona, which is based on the 2004 tsunami that hit Thailand. The film is based on the real life situation of a family of five who have travel to Thailand on a family holiday. The storm then hits the part of Thailand where the family are staying and they all become separated. 

The three act structure

The three act structure suggests that when creating there are three acts. The set up (exposition), the confrontation (obstacles) and the resolution.

Figure 2. The three act structure

Looking at the film: 

The start (Ordinary world) -

 At the start of the film the audience is told that the film is based on a true story. The opening shot shows the plane coming into Thailand with the family on it. This is where we are introduced to Henry (the Father), Maria (the Mother) and Lucas, Simon and Thomas (their three sons). It shows the family settling down at their holiday resort and enjoying their holiday.

Inciting accident - 

While the family are in and around the pool the Mother (Maria) looks around as though something is wrong. The surrounding sounds in the scene start to become quiet and only the sounds of their children and Henry playing in the pool is heard. The wind then starts to pick up and the glass by the pool starts to shake. The noise of birds squawking is heightened and wildlife is shown running away. Trees in the distance then start to get knocked down and the tsunami hits. 

Figure 3. Maria and Lucas are reunited

End of Act 1 - 

The family become separated. Maria is badly hurt but manages to find Lucas close by, they do not know where Henry, Thomas or Simon are. They both walk through the wreckage trying to find somewhere safe to get medical assistance. On their journey they meet a little boy named Daniel who they bring with them in order to find his mother. Maria, Lucas and Daniel then find a hospital and Maria is taken into surgery. While Maria is being operated on Daniel is taken away to try and be reunited with his family through a charity. 

Henry is shown to have left Simon and Thomas with another family at the demolished holiday resort while he goes in search of Lucas and Maria. 

Figure 4. Maria and Lucas at the Hospital

Mid-point (Act 2) -

Lucas can not find Maria (his Mother) after surgery and believes that his Mother is dead as her bed is left empty. He begins looking all over the hospital and manages to find her, being told that her medical notes had been mixed up with those of somebody who had died. He is told that she is still very weak and that the hospital were unable to do a part of the operation because she had lost a lot of blood and is at risk of infection.


Start of Act 3 - 

While Maria is resting, Lucas helps the hospital by going around trying to find relatives of the ill people around the hospital.

Henry is continuing to look for Maria and Lucas. Simon and Thomas begin to travel to try and find their Mother and Brother themselves.

Figure 5. Thomas and Simon arrive at the hospital

The climax - 

Henry arrives at the hospital and still looking for Maria and Lucas. While trying to find relatives of the survivors at the hospital Lucas sees his Dad from a distance and begins to try and find him. While searching for him, Lucas finds Thomas and Simon and they are reunited. They also then find Henry. Lucas then takes them all to see Maria.  


The denoument and end - 

The family are safe and reunited. A vehicle then arrives as the hospital for the family so they can travel to Singapore to allow for Maria to receive more medical assistance.




Illustrations:

Figure 1. (2012) Movie poster. https://unknews.unk.edu/2018/04/04/unk-hosts-special-screening-of-tsunami-film-the-impossible/

Figure 2. The three act structure. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three-act_structure

Figure 3. (2012) Maria and Lucas are reunited. https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/film-review-the-impossible-naomi-watts-makes-waves-but-its-not-a-perfect-storm-8437566.html

Figure 4. (2012) Maria and Lucas at the Hospital. https://drnorth.wordpress.com/2013/07/03/naomi-watts-watch-the-impossible/

Figure 5. (2012) Thomas and Simon arrive at the hospital. https://www.subimpact.net/2013/02/the-impossible-manly-tears.html