Opened: November 13, 2015

Directed by: Patricia Riggen

Starring: Antonio Banderas, Rodrigo Santoro, Juliette Binoche, James Brolin, Lou Diamond Phillips, Mario Casas, Gabriel Byrne, Bob Gunton, Paulina García, Adriana Barraza, Kate del Castillo, Cote de Pablo, Juan Pablo Raba, Jacob Vargas, Naomi Scott, Marco Treviño, Oscar Nunez, Alejandro Goic, Cristián Campos, Tim Willcox, Federico Luppi, Tenoch Huerta Mejía, Pedro Calvo, Macarena Pizarro, Mario Kreutzberger & Gustavo Angarita

Based on an unbelievable true story, The 33 leans a bit too much into the cinematic formula but remains an inspirational story of its survivors.

In August 2010, Luis Urzúa (Lou Diamond Phillips) warns of dangerous conditions in the San José mine of Copiapó. A group of 33 miners, including Luis, become trapped when the mine collapses. Over the course of 69 days, the men are trapped thousands of feet underground.

Though some liberties are taken, the stories of the families and their eventual reuniting with loved ones is heart-wrenching. The final act will require tissues. At times though, there may seem like there’s too much focus above ground with the initial days of the miners’ entrapment passing quickly.

Antonio Banderas fantastically leads an ensemble cast as Mario Sepúlveda – the public face of the miners.

Final say: Hope above all. ★★★★☆