It's safe to say that Gravity is as Heartbreaking as it is Breathtaking...

Rating: 10/10 (29 March 2014)

Few films have given me a neutral vibe from trailers. The trailer for The Dark Knight Rises made me want to watch but not expect much from it, same with Life of Pi and now Gravity. After seeing the reviews for this film rocket upwards (excuse the pun), I knew I had to go see it. The trailers certainly got my interest to a point, but I wanted to see why so much fuss was being made about somebody floating through space. I'm very, very glad that I did see it in the cinema.
To summarise the plot; Sandra Bullock and George Clooney have to install a new part on the Hubble Space telescope. During the mission, however, the Russians destroy a satellite causing a chain reaction of debris which sees Bullock and Clooney separated from their shuttle. That's really all you need to know, as most of the subtle plot advances come from cinematography and lines of dialogue which would lead to major spoilers.
So, how does Bullock fares a desperate to survive astronaut bound to only one other person, with an ever depleting O2 reserve? Rather brilliantly, actually. Her performance really is the centrepiece of this film (Clooney has a relatively minor role, as you will see for yourself). When her O2 starts to run out as she panics, her breathing become raspy and difficult, her words sound desperate and difficult. Every movement is fluid, and every leap convinces us that this is a determined woman. Clooney plays a minor role, almost just a way of making sure that Bullock doesn't die and also acts as a kind of Comic Relief. Regardless, the first act plays out brilliantly between the two of them, and I was awed by the contrast between their deep conversations and the incredible surroundings they were floating in.
The cinematography is possibly the strongest I've ever seen in a film. I remember being blown away by the opening, as a huge roar during the Title is cuts to silence and an view of the earth rotating. This piece, followed by a 17 MINUTE continuous shot alone make the film worth watching. Seeing Clooney use a jet-pack to whip around space in 360 degrees was disorienting in a wonderful way; I actually felt like I was hovering around space with them. The camera work is fluid, but often fixes itself on the motions of an actor, such that we feel one with them as they go about moving from place to place. In one great shot, we slowly zoom on Bullock's face whilst she spins uncontrollably, getting closer and closer on each in-breath. It's shots like the one where she curls up like a space foetus (2001, anybody?), against the capsule door she just entered through, which reminds us of how amazing the 'land' of space is. How could anybody survive such a harsh place? Seeing it in 3d made all the difference, as seeing debris rush past and towards us was honestly terrifying, and made me fear for her life even more. The styling is ambitious, and the camera work more so. It's a beautiful film to look at.
I have to give it to Cuaron for this masterpiece. Many will complain that his story is thin and wears out by the time we realise it's about her 'living because her daughter died', but I think people like that are missing some clues as to the true meaning he hides in small pieces of dialogue and directing.
*SPOiLERS AHEAD*
Think about this; When Clooney 'saves' her as she attempts suicide, does she actually wake up? Is the rest of the film her in the afterlife, attempting to gain retribution for not standing up to her fear and saving her daughter? When she crawls to the shoreline and stands upon the sands, we are given an image of Evolution; This character, a human with the will to survive, stands stronger than ever, almost perfect, as thought she had ascended to a new level of life. Heaven, perhaps?
*SPOiLERS END*
Regardless of plot depth, this is an amazing piece of cinema. With technical mastery achieved by Cuaron, and a great performance by Bullock, this is the kind of film you HAVE to see. I think this will go down in history as that film which blew people away, for some reasons we can't just put our finger on and yet are still there. A glorious piece, 9.6/10.