A glamour project by even the most reserved standards, Alfonso Cuarón's Gravity is one of the most spectacular accomplishments in filmmaking. Taking a rather mundane and tired storyline and turning it on its head, Cuarón has crafted a truly magnificent movie experience that simply cannot be ignored.
In the film, Sandra Bullock stars as Ryan Stone, a medical engineer on her first shuttle mission who finds herself trapped and alone amongst one of the most beautiful sites known to man"”Earth. This is where the film thrives.
Turning one of the most polarizing views into one of violence, dismay, and destruction, Cuarón is able to craft a suspense thriller with the use of a single body. Fortunately for both the director and the viewers watching, that body belongs to Oscar-winner Sandra Bullock, who turns in the most complete and authentic performance of her career as a fish out of water in a world surrounded by vast darkness.
Shot entirely from the soundless realm of space, Gravity refuses to be ignored as Cuarón successfully masters the world of cinematography, creating shots that truly do tell their own story. The bright colors, the spectacular views all make you long for the outer reaches of our galaxy, stirring feelings of beauty and tranquility as you witness panic and danger spew all around you. The two worlds collide with fluid turbulence, offering up a rare feat as the film proves to be a simplistic marvel enriched in a complex uniqueness that is hard to pin down. Add in the almost too clever use of sound, and Gravity catapults into a league all by its lonesome.
George Clooney is in top form as Matt Kowalsky. His turn, though short, provides the perfect lighthearted tone to the anxious and dark tale. His demeanor balances that of Bullock's frantic reaction to near flawless perfection, offering up two sides to the situation as he poses as the mentor to our film-long protagonist.
Gravity offers up multiple climaxes, each with its own conclusion, and while you may think you know how the story ends, the journey from beginning to end helps to signify the true art of filmmaking. The film is obviously a technical masterpiece, its story and characters help make it a cinematic marvel.
