Review by: Jonathan Godfrey for Mr. Will Wong
Warner Bros.’ Oscar Campaign continues this week with their release of Gravity. Alfonso Cuaron’s latest Passion Project is as ambitious visually as it is philosophically. Previously Cuaron worked on such Notables as Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and Children of Men. Like the latter Gravity is not only directed by him, but written by him as well. But much of that writing goes unsaid, as the dialogue is minimal and the Story-heavy.
Such a narrative direction is difficult to deliver without a worthy cast. Seven voices, three faces, and two active bodies comprise said Cast. Small in size and large in stature; but what’s even more impressive is that Sandra Bullock owns most of the screentime and Story. At first this isn’t apparent. Four voices start the Film by filling the vacuum of space with the sounds of conversation and merriment. Two go silent, one grows distant, and the last is left alone to confront death’s unintelligible whispers.
Bullock spins in solitude, and in such a state she is faced with her mortality… time and time again. My God, the threats are ever-present, (but aren’t they always in a lifeless void). Life and death, such is the binary the Film discusses, and does so via light and darkness from start to finish. Impressive, as Film in its essence is precisely the contrast between light and dark. So in utilizing the soul of cinema the Film is provided with one in turn.
Deep no doubt, but one’s curiosity goes deeper. When watching Cuaron’s Space Saga you’ll no doubt be left wondering if it’s actually filmed up there. So crystal-clear are the scenes and sets and so weightless the space that its authenticity seems unquestionable. And this in turn allows the terror to be tangible and Bullock to be Ryan Stone. Ms. Stone is a beauty beyond description, and an Individual worth knowing. It takes her time to see this for herself however, but its time worth taking with her. The praise is apparent and for good reason, but the only way to prove the point is to see this Masterpiece yourself.
Warner Bros. Pictures Canada releases Gravity on October 4, 2013.
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