Director: Alfonso Cuarón.
Cast: Sandra Bullock, George Clooney.
Running Time: 91 minutes.
Certificate: 12A.
Synopsis: A routine space mission turns into a fight for survival for Sandra Bullock and George Clooney in Alfonso Cuaron’s nerve-shredding thrill ride.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of writing a review is coming up with new ways to express how good, or indeed terrible, a film is. I don’t consider it hyperbole to declare that watching GRAVITY was one of the most incredible cinematic experiences of my life, and I never expected to write the following sentence. The 3D works beautifully, truly drawing you into the film and enhancing the work. Moreover, Alfonso Cuarón, Sandra Bullock and the visual effects team have delivered one of the films of the year.
From the dizzying, mesmerising opening shot that plays around with dimensions and perceptions, we are brought into an environment unlike anything in recent memory. The scope and scale are mind-boggling and Cuarón pulls it off with astounding flair and grace. He and his squad of effects wizards (some of the imagery is practically magical) have created that rare treat; a completely immersive, utterly cinematic voyage. They evoke a simple yet seemingly contradictory notion that nothing can be quite as claustrophobic as the vast infinity of space, and the film will always be at its best on a large screen in a darkened room using 3D. Whether their impressive accomplishments will come across as well in a living room remains to be seen, but in an auditorium with the right sound, it is a visceral, tense, thrilling and heart wrenching experience.
It would appear that Cate Blanchett has ‘Best Actress’ in the bag already for BLUE JASMINE, but Bullock gives her a run for her money as Dr. Ryan Stone in a career best performance. Whilst you can only see her face for about half of the running time, her breathing, expressions and delivery carry so much weight that she is utterly engrossing throughout. Without giving too much away, there is a scene which could have been handled in a more lascivious manner by lesser filmmakers, but Cuarón and Bullock use it as a form of rebirth for Ryan and it acts as an emotional hinge in the narrative. Clooney acts mainly as comic relief, his character Kowalski virtually channelling Buzz Lightyear at points. His presence is always welcome, providing levity, not just for keeping Stone calm in moments of crisis, but helping us decompress after some of the more intense action sequences.
These scenes will thrill and terrify you. For all the schlocky horror flicks that exploit 3D by having an axe fly towards the camera, none of that rubbish compares to the fear installed by space debris hurtling at the audience. Cuarón has no problem using some old tricks to frighten us, with one particular scare coming straight out of JAWS. And there is a healthy dollop of cheese in there, such as the dialogue involving Ryan’s back story or the swelling music as we cheer her on.
I cried, I chuckled, I cowered from bits of shattered satellite hurtling towards my face, and I was constantly in awe of what the director/writer, his actors and the incredible visual effects team have achieved. You will need to hold on to your seat, because if the seemingly impossible camera work doesn’t blow your mind, the testament to the human spirit will swell your heart. Sandra Bullock is amazing and Cuarón deserves to be recognised come awards season because GRAVITY is one of the best films of the year – practically any year.
GRAVITY is released in UK cinemas on Thursday November 7th.
