Gravity (2013)

Gravity (2013)                                                   4/5

Directed by Alfonso Cuarón

Sandra Bullock, George Clooney

In this present day sci-fi, Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) and Matt Kowalski (George Clooney) are astronauts out on a repair mission when events cause them to lose contact with Mission Control (voiced by Ed Harris). The team is left adrift in space, trying to find their way home.

The plot is suspenseful, with enough plausibility to keep the audience engaged. The film does, however, rely heavily on external factors to move forward in an exciting way, meaning that it is not terribly character-driven. Problems that arise do so as and when it is convenient to the narrative. Where a film is better off showing characters reacting to a given situation, the film chooses to invent new situations for the characters to react to.

Thematically, the film is rich, if a little obvious. Symbolism, metaphor, and allegory are visible throughout, tying into themes of persistence, isolation, and loss. One particular shot has Stone curled into the fetal position, a cable protruding to symbolize the umbilical cord; such visuals are noticeable at various points, lingering long enough for the audience to understand the significance and contemplate its connections.

Visually, the film is absolutely exquisite. The cinematography involves smooth, fluid movement, and in some ways causes “Space” to take on a character of its own. The special effects work is state of the art, creating dazzling images of Earth. The pacing is brilliantly executed with the speed of camera sweeps and strategically placed cuts. Reflections are also used extensively throughout the film, whether to give a sense of movement as a character spins in circles while floating, or to create a contemplative tableau in a moment of relative ease. 3D is used expertly in the film, subtly enhancing the visuals rather than creating gimmicky moments of cheap thrill. A special mention goes to the interplay between sound and silence, as the subtle yet epic score cuts suddenly to mirror events within the film. The film is perhaps the most realistic depiction of space-sound in a sci-fi, withholding booming explosions where other films may have used them unrealistically.

The performances are exactly what could be expected of the actors, offering comfortable roles for the stars, but not challenging them in any significant way. George Clooney plays a charismatic leader who is able to keep a calm head in the face of chaos, and Sandra Bullock plays the nervous rookie with a tragic past who is determined to fight for survival, even if she loses hope a few times throughout. Both stars play their roles expertly, but perhaps only because this is familiar terrain. It could be said that this is the work of good casting, but it seems more likely that the material is not emotionally challenging enough for such major names. That said, the physicality of their roles is impressive: how much of what the characters are seen doing is CGI and how much is real, this reviewer can’t say for sure, but regardless of the extent to which it is their own doing, it is still very hard, commendable work. The first act of the film, before any serious problems arise, is a light and entertaining introduction to the characters, offering great interplay between not only Bullock and Clooney, but Harris as well. The characters create a fun dialogue that mixes serious work and playful banter. Another crew member named Shariff (voiced by Paul Sharma) is wonderful comic relief, but really only serves as a plot device in the long run of the film.

Overall, the film offers a chilling plot, rich yet somewhat obvious themes, and comfortable performances from seasoned actors. The greatest draw of this film is its phenomenal visuals, from the CGI work to the cinematography, and the sound that accompanies these beautiful images. For this reason, the film is certainly worth seeing, especially while it is still in theatres; for the full effect, it is recommended that you spend the extra money to see it in 3D, as the film takes full advantage of the technology without being overly obnoxious.