Newton meets Kierkegaard

Rating: 10/10 (6 October 2013)

Never have I seen a movie where physics and philosophy were so intertwined. Physics is the star of this show and philosophy is the subtle undertone, yet the two are inseparably connected in this surprise success. First I will comment on the physics of this movie, then the philosophy. ****Spoilers ahead**** The first scene is flawless. There is a reverence that enters your mind at first sight. People were still shuffling into the theater and I found myself bothered at the noise while this was on screen. It seemed like it deserved reverence. I was intrigued when I noticed that there were no cut scenes. If I am not mistaken, there was not one cut until Ryan's daughter was mentioned, and that was well into the movie. As a mechanical engineering student my mind works in a logical way and because of this I am critical of the plausibility of films to a fault. Sometimes I cannot enjoy a film because I am frustrated by how impossible things are. The whole time I watched this film, Physics 101 and Newton's Laws of Motion were in the back of my head analyzing every move. I can honestly say that not once did I seriously question the physics I saw. Everything was very plausible. On the other hand, the probability of the story is highly unlikely. This does not detract from the movie at all though, because they are still within a reasonable margin of sanity. The story was OK, in fact there isn't much of a story at all. But this isn't a bad thing. This movie doesn't need a story (more on that later). Character development is at a minimum, but again, not necessary. Alright now to the philosophy. Faith may be a better word rather than philosophy as I feel it deals with themes centered on life, death, birth, universal humanity, and even "heaven". First, I see the metaphor of the process of one's life from beginning. Most people believe in a sort of life before this one. To me outer space is that pre-earth life for Ryan. After the accident, when she is running out of oxygen and makes it to the air chamber, there is a scene where she is unmistakably portrayed as being in a womb. It is a beautiful scene that has the ability to evoke deep emotion concerning the value of life. After a time Ryan is being "born" by re-entry. But there are complications during birth. She is stuck inside the "womb", and escapes amid a lot of water (present during child birth) and physical straining. She comes out of the water (embryonic fluid) and takes her first breath of air in her new life. She struggles to the shore and she cannot stand or walk. Much like a newborn. She struggles and must gain her strength and balance to walk again. The whole movie is a portrait of how fragile life is. Everything is trying to kill her. Intertwined in the allegory of new birth, is the progression from no belief to faith. Ryan admits that she has never prayed once in her life. Throughout the film you see artifacts of faith when she is in her most perilous times (Buddha, Christ). She begins to discuss that inner struggle with herself. And slowly a transformation takes place. Her faith grows with her determination to survive. It is consummated when she makes the resolution to fight for her life. She starts telling the metaphysical Matt Kowalski that he is going to meet her deceased daughter and wishes him to say hello to her. At this moment she realizes her faith. Another interesting scene is when she realizes that she is going to die. Earlier we learn that when Ryan heard of the death of her daughter she was driving, and ever since then she just likes to drive and listen to whatever is on the radio. This is her coping method for death. When Ryan comes to the realization that she is going to die in the escape pod, the radio is picking up some random AM radio waves. She concedes to give up her life, and finds comfort in just "driving" a space capsule and listening to the radio as she slowly runs out of oxygen and dies. I personally would have been OK if the movie would have ended right then and there. Especially when George Clooney showed up again. At that point I was quite upset. I felt that it ruined the movie. When he turned out to be just an apparition I felt much better about the film. Clooney for me was only OK. I've never been a huge fan. I think his acting skills are one dimensional. And I can never get the Batman & Robin disaster out of my head. Sandra Bullock was on point the entire time; absolutely stunning performance. You root for her survival, but at one point, you are at peace with her death. The Hollywood clichés are at a minimum. The suspense is absolutely gripping. I found myself in complete awe at times. There are a few films that I limit myself to watching too often, because seeing them too much will cheapen them. This film has that same effect, but for a different reason. I think the biggest reason for not seeing this film again is that if it is not on an IMAX screen, then it is really diminished. Seeing it at home will sell it short. It just won't be right on a 32" flat screen or even 50". I may pay to see it on IMAX again. You totally forget about the 3D eventually. It is very immersive. At one point I actually flinched as debris was coming right at me. This film has been an instant success. It wins with its special effects and adds to the triumph with a stark look at humanity, life, death, faith, and the will to live.