Thirteen Lives is a taut, no-nonsense film that smartly forgoes dramatizing an already well-known case and, instead, hones in on the excruciating but impressive ordeal that is rescue diving. The divers are played by Viggo Mortensen and Colin Farrell, both of whom are convincing in their expertise and heroism. But this isn’t to say this story is theirs. Howard does well to center the narrative on the locals and even makes use of their language, Thai, for most of the film’s run. It’s as sensitively told as it is genuinely gripping.
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Actor: Colin Farrell, Joel Edgerton, Josh Helman, Lewis Fitz-Gerald, Luisa Prosser, Nophand Boonyai, Paul Gleeson, Paula Garcia, Popetorn Soonthornyanakij, Sahajak Boonthanakit, Sam Arnold, Sukollawat Kanarot, Teeradon Supapunpinyo, Teerawat Mulvilai, Theerapat Sajakul, Thira Chutikul, Tom Bateman, Viggo Mortensen, Vithaya Pansringarm
Director: Ron Howard
Rating: PG-13
