by Max Bosshart
This years Gravity stars Sandra Bullock as Dr. Ryan Stone and George Clooney as Matt Kowalski; two astronauts on a space walk to repair a satellite. While on the mission, a Russian anti-satellite test goes awry creating a chain reaction of debris careening towards them and their shuttle. The debris destroys the shuttle and leaves them stranded in space.
Gravity is a story of loss, isolation, sacrifice, and survival. The movie tugs on the heartstrings of the viewer and keeps them on the edge of their seats all the way to the end. It is a worthy edition to a spectacularly underrated director Alfonso Cuarón who brought us Children of Men, Y Tu Mamá También, and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Cuarón also wrote and produced the film.
This years Gravity stars Sandra Bullock as Dr. Ryan Stone and George Clooney as Matt Kowalski; two astronauts on a space walk to repair a satellite. While on the mission, a Russian anti-satellite test goes awry creating a chain reaction of debris careening towards them and their shuttle. The debris destroys the shuttle and leaves them stranded in space.
Gravity is a story of loss, isolation, sacrifice, and survival. The movie tugs on the heartstrings of the viewer and keeps them on the edge of their seats all the way to the end. It is a worthy edition to a spectacularly underrated director Alfonso Cuarón who brought us Children of Men, Y Tu Mamá También, and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Cuarón also wrote and produced the film.
The major theme of Gravity is isolation. Bullock spends an enormous amount of time on screen alone. This is a hard task to pull off; making a film that involves such a small cast and many scenes with only one of the cast members present. With the combination of Cuarón's and Bullock's acting it is pulled off with much success.
Though the acting was well done its one of those movies where casting choices come into question. Both Bullock and Clooney did a good job, but were they the right choices? When a movie chooses well established actors for their roles, the audience comes in with a preconceived notion of who the actors are and what the characters might be. With that it is hard to break away from the idea that the actors are the characters, especially with Clooney. Clooney is a good, if not great, actor. It is less about how well the individual can act and more about personality. Did he have the right personality for the character?
Though the acting was well done its one of those movies where casting choices come into question. Both Bullock and Clooney did a good job, but were they the right choices? When a movie chooses well established actors for their roles, the audience comes in with a preconceived notion of who the actors are and what the characters might be. With that it is hard to break away from the idea that the actors are the characters, especially with Clooney. Clooney is a good, if not great, actor. It is less about how well the individual can act and more about personality. Did he have the right personality for the character?
The real highlight of the Gravity has to be the visuals. A beautiful movie, on par with the best visual movies to date; it is all in the way the sun strikes the space landscape, the random bits of debris floating about, and the subtle nuances of the characters' movements. The movie is pretty, so pretty that one wants to pause certain scenes and lose oneself in them.
Another aspect of the movie that sits high with the visuals is the atmosphere and mood of it. Cuarón did an amazing job writing and directing a movie with the perfect mixture of subtlety, tension, and intensity. The viewer feels what is going on while watching it. It becomes less of a spectacle and more of something one is participating in.
Another aspect of the movie that sits high with the visuals is the atmosphere and mood of it. Cuarón did an amazing job writing and directing a movie with the perfect mixture of subtlety, tension, and intensity. The viewer feels what is going on while watching it. It becomes less of a spectacle and more of something one is participating in.
The story is pushed by the atmosphere. Driven by fear, the viewers want to see the end, not because they want to go home but rather they want the ordeal to end for Bullock. Her character is slowly fleshed out with little things at a time; each occurrence adding to the overall story and weighing down the audience as well as the character.
Gravity is a wonderful film. It creates a satisfying, emotional experience for the audience and shines in all the right places. It is hard to find fault with the movie. It has been lauded and praised by viewers and critics alike; although the accolades may be a bit more than it deserves. It is a great addition to Cuarón's growing filmography and worth seeing on the big screen.
Gravity is a wonderful film. It creates a satisfying, emotional experience for the audience and shines in all the right places. It is hard to find fault with the movie. It has been lauded and praised by viewers and critics alike; although the accolades may be a bit more than it deserves. It is a great addition to Cuarón's growing filmography and worth seeing on the big screen.
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