Gravity

Every once in awhile, and film comes along and it puts the rest of the genre to shame. In 2009, Avatar revolutionized the cinematic experience and changed the way we look at film. Paving the way for 3D and IMAX to become the norm as opposed to the exception for major events. And although Gravity isn't quite to that scale, it is magical, beautiful, and by far the most realistic look at space that we've ever seen on fictional film. Alfonso Cuaron is a master of his craft, and audiences have anxiously been awaiting his return to directing since 2006's Children of Men, which was quietly one of the most remarkable films of the year, and might even make my 21st century top 10 list.

Gravity opens with some facts and figures about space. How it fluctuates between burning and freezing, and how there is no sound due to no oxygen. This is something that Cuaron obviously took great pride in replicating, and is done nicely throughout the film with the absence of music at well-timed moments of crisis. We find a handful of astronauts and scientists doing some upgrades and improvements to the Hubble when a smattering of debris changes their plans. Dr. Ryan Stone (Bullock) and Astronaut Matt Kowalski (Clooney) find themselves battling fear and the claustrophobic infinite expanse of space in a race against time and odds to make it back to Earth safely.

Clooney delivers a typical Clooney performance. Charming and verbose, there is a light air of flirtiness between him and Bullock, but done so effortlessly that it seems natural enough. The role of an Astronaut would be a stretch for most actors, but it seems like Clooney can assume almost any identity he chooses, and doesn't need to try very hard. That's not the compliment it may appear to be. Clooney is on cruise control as the super cool alpha male. He is a raconteur in space, cracking jokes and telling stories as he floats around in a jet pack trying to break the space-walk record. It actually alleviates some of the natural tension that the film builds with the environment and the realism with oxygen and gravity fighting against the main characters. I love Clooney as much as the rest of the country (maybe world), and his roles in Syriana, Michael Clayton, Up in the Air, and The Descendants are the hallmarks of his potential, but Matt Kowalski was written too much like George Clooney for George Clooney to make it a meaty role. Unfortunately, for me, it deflated the film a bit.

Bullock on the other hand, is fantastic. The film focuses on her, and there are numerous scenes where she is in solitude, floating through space or in another gravity-free environment, and she delivers the emotional urgency of the role. The only knock I have doesn't directly go against her, but instead is the writing of dialogue. Some of her monologues as she's trying to either distract herself from the situation, or try to make levity of her dilemma is a bit bland and maybe even out of place. Even some of the conversations between Clooney and Bullock seem a bit blanched. Lots of opportunity for emotional enrichment, but it's dropped a bit.

Cuaron is outstanding in his recreation of the environment and his attention to detail. This film to date is the most sincere look at outer space that we've ever seen. There is just one scene that I can recall that seems a bit unrealistic, and even that can be forgiven because of the following events. The destruction of satellites is brilliantly done in silence, and the visual effects that he oversees are majestic. Aurora Borealis, cloud patterns over recognizable landmasses, meteors and splintered metal careening toward the atmosphere, it's all done beautifully. He is a master of his craft and has outdone himself in what is his best work to date. Ironically, his IMDB blurb states that he had ambitions of being an astronaut when he was younger, and he has come about as close as you possibly can without traveling to space with Gravity.

The music, or lack of music when the time demands it is terrific. Building crescendos reaching a zenith at suspenseful moments resulting in sheer silence. After all, there is no oxygen to carry sound in space. Until the film's climax, the music is great, but then the tribal artsy chanting ruins it. It's unfortunate, but I'm sure Cuaron has his reasons. It's beyond me though, and didn't fit the tone of the rest of the film. The visual effects are top-notch with meticulous attention to detail and realism. It truly raises the bar for all future sci-fi films (that don't involve aliens). I'm curious to see how Chris Nolan's 2014 potential juggernaut Interstellar portrays space. No doubt he will take a lesson from Cuaron and make it as realistic as possible. (here's hoping at least).

Gravity is another one of the plethora titles recently that have a fun and fitting double entendre, like my favorite film title, Cast Away (2000). Bullock and Clooney are battling the force of nature that we so easily take for granted for better or worse, but the seriousness of their dire situation keeps getting more and more suffocating. It's truly a great title. The film goes from unfortunate to improbable as events unfold placing our cosmonauts in deeper and more hopeless peril. It's a thriller, a character study, a survival tale, and has just enough explosions to make it somewhat of an action film. It's hard to say where the film fits, but one thing is for sure, there will be at least 4 Oscar nominations, with one likely winner to this point. Bullock gets a nomination, the film will end up on the Best Picture ballot, and the special effects will get at least one nod while Alfonso Cuaron will likely pull an Ang Lee and win Best Director this year. This is the type of film that is awe-inspiring and showcases the genius of the man behind the lens. I'm excited to see the next big thing that he attaches himself to, but unfortunately it might be another 7 years. Great thrill ride with a beautiful view. 8/10.