'Gravity' is
essentially a survival movie in space. The main character has to battle an
unforgiving environment in order to survive at the same time deal with some
personal issues. Gravity is a roller coaster ride with elaborate and intense
action scenes alternated by quiet moments for reflection. 'Gravity' has been
hailed as the intellectual successor to '2001: A Space Odyssey' (1968). Though
'Gravity' references 2001 several times, this movie refrains from dealing with
the larger questions put forth by 2001. Rather it is more about the human
condition, more specifically, about resilience, letting go, growth, sacrifice
and the basic primal instinct in all of us to survive no matter how bleak a
situation is.
Primal Connection
Bullock's character
is initially timid and hesitant but grows to become someone who will take
extraordinary risks to survive in an adversity. At one point she even gives up
hope and attempts suicide as means to avoid a more painful death. A lucky
contact over radio on which she hears a baby cry and her being reminded of
Clooney's character's sacrifice to save her ignites in her the will to live.
She lets go of daughter's death and grows as a character. This growth (or her
rebirth) is symbolized in the shot where she curls up in a fetal
position(reference to the star-child in 2001 : A Space Odyssey). You are able
to connect with her and are rooting for her as she hurtles towards Earth in a
space pod. As she stands up on the ground something primal is stirred inside
you as you have connected with the character's basic need to survive in dire
circumstances.
No words can
describe how stunning the visual effects of this movie are. The camera work and
the CGI are masterfully done. Long continuous shots (similar to the same
director's 'Children of Men',2006) are present throughout. The camera moves
seamlessly from first person to third person and tumbles and rotates as if
trying to disorient you and make you experience zero gravity. You feel the
impact of all the disorientation only at the end when Bullock's character lands
and crawls out of the water to lay on the ground. You too feel you have landed
on Earth after a long journey in space.
Great Performances
Sandra Bullock's
portrayal of the lead character is remarkable as she expertly captures the
character's emotions and transformation.
She controls her breathing and expressions in such a way to express fear
and hopelessness even in scenes with no dialogue. People have called it her
performance as the best in her career. George Clooney plays a veteran astronaut
who has so much experience that a spacewalk is now a routine affair and he is
tempted to tell stories and play music. Something in his performance reminded
me of Danny Ocean.
It is a minor point
but one of the things that bugged me was Bullock's character's backstory. As
the character's life is in peril you can connect with the character and can
root for her. Her search for closure for the death of her daughter felt a bit
clichéd.
In summary, Gravity
is unlike any movie you would have seen. The visuals are remarkable and so are
the performances. It is a very intense experience and I recommend seeing it in
3D. The storyline and dialogues are fine. The music is used judiciously. There
is silence in space and so you hear nothing except what the characters say on
their comm.s. Instead the music is used to evoke fear and feeling of dread.
Rating : 9.0/10.0
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