The 33 (2015)

"The 33" stars Antonio Banderas, Rodrigo Santoro, Juliette Binoche, and Cote de Pablo. Released on November 13, 2015, the film is about a group of mine workers who become trapped in an unstable mine with no way out.
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The film is directed by Patricia Riggen, who also directed Under the Same Moon and Girl in Progress. It is based on the events of the 2010 mining incident in which a total of 33 mine workers were trapped in the San Jose Mine for more than two months. This is one of the events that I'm not familiar with, so I went into this film with an open mind.

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Pros:
Good performances from the cast, including Banderas as Mario Sepulveda.

Likable characters.

Solid direction from Riggen.

Nice emotional depth.

The pacing is consistent with its running time.

The screenplay was passable.

Supportive themes, such as never give up hope.

Cons:
The story is predictable, especially for those who are familiar with the event.

Overstayed its welcome by 10 minutes.
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Final thoughts: Despite its predictable and cliched storyline and its running time, "The 33" is a remarkable tale about hope and survival. The film does feel like Oscar bait from start to finish, but it does its job at teaching people to never lose hope for the ones they love, even though the odds seem impossible for some. For those who are into inspirational films, this is worth a recommendation.

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