Gravity: What's the point of living?

Rating: 10/10 (13 March 2014)

It is tremendously difficult to achieve cinematic brilliance, as it is challenging to make the right balance between various elements in a film. However, under the incredible vision of and script by Cuaron, and the breathtaking performances of Bullock and Clooney, cinematic brilliance is achieved.
Medical engineer Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock), Matt Kowalski (George Clooney) and a group of astronauts are involved in a space mission. After the collision between high-speed debris and their space shuttle, Stone and Kowalski are the survivors. Determined to stay alive and return home, the two of them drift in the dark and dangerous space to other space stations. Unfortunately, facing obstacles, Stone turns out to be the sole survivor of the accident. Facing loneliness, lost of Matt and haunted past experience, Stone keeps on encountering more challenges and life-threatening situations. With her own determination and self- encouragement, she returns to Earth safely, and goes back to Earth as a changed person.
How did Ryan survive? She did not survive because of her knowledge in driving the space shuttle. She also did not survive because of anyone, who would look up to the sky on Earth and remember her. Although Matt accompanied her, it was only half of the journey. What is the motivation for Ryan to survive all that? Why didn't Ryan just continue to drift in space and allow the oxygen in the shuttle to run out? What was the point of surviving?
Perhaps it was a decision in Ryan's mind. She opted for a different attitude and view things from a different perspective. Despite almost losing everything she valued and facing solitude, she decided to stay alive, because her life still has value. Also, because she understands that she might have a chance to live if she tries, but she will certainly die if she does not try. She lives because she believe that no matter the consequences, dead or alive, "it will be one hell of a ride".
So, how did all this end? Some say that the ending is rather weak as the events after Ryan landed are not specified and mentioned. However, the main point is that Ryan survived and she changed after what she experienced. She stands up, finally, whispered "thank you" and walks toward her new life.
The story and the message was quite simple, and it is even quite old- fashioned. The story would not be moving at all if it was put into other situations. Thanks to Alfonso and his son, who came up with the screenplay, they presented the message in a real way, without anything contrived. Also, the authentic and heartbreaking performance given by Sandra Bullock, the nerve-wracking atmosphere, along with the amazing special effect and epic cinematography helped build up the change in psychology of Ryan Stone and make the storyline believable.
This film is not merely a visual experience, or a 90-minute of epic and tense scenes. Through the film, we experience the journey and change with Ryan Stone, and finally the film makes us believe that there IS a point of living, and we can always stand up and confront challenges in our lives.