Weekly Review -- Beyond dimensions

Gravity (2013) -- A David versus Goliath battle if ever there was one. An incandescent, spiritual piece on being human and being alive. An ode to never giving up. A masterpiece that leaves the viewer in awe and wonder, Alfonso Cuarón's Gravity is all of the above and more.

**THIS REVIEW CONTAINS HUGE SPOILERS**

After an accident occurs during a mission, Dr. Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) and fellow astronaut Matt Kowalski (George Clooney) get detached from their shuttle. With only their wits and skills to guide them, they begin a treacherous journey back to Earth, completely isolated from NASA and at the mercy of a cold vastness...

The first thing that I feel the need to comment on is the film's scope, both in terms of the story and the striking visuals. The experience of seeing Gravity in IMAX 3D is mind-blowing to say the least. Cuarón literally takes the viewer beyond our dimensions, into an infinity that the greatest minds keep attempting to explore, but one that is capable of wiping us out with merely a stroke of bad luck. The story revolves around a situation in which no one is allowed to make mistakes, simply because a tiny mistake could make the difference between returning to Earth and dying. In this regard, I give high kudos to composer Steven Price, whose dark, ominous score is the perfect companion to the events unfolding on screen. One is not able to make compromises because there are no compromises to be made. How do you negotiate with the universe? What kind of contract can you draw up? The gorgeous effects emphasize the unenviable predicament that the two principal characters find themselves in. It is very difficult to believe that the film was not actually shot in space, that is how incredible it looks. Apart from 2001: A Space Odyssey, I cannot think of another work that has achieved this kind of realism when portraying the ultimate enigma.

In a fascinating turn, Gravity's wilderness of space is presented as analogous to the deepest recesses of the human mind. Cuarón sees being lost in this realm as akin to dissipating inside one's bubble, distancing oneself from the outside world and not letting it touch you. People who have gone through loss and grief know this feeling; so do people who have had bouts with depression or other debilitating conditions. In the end, the film is about the choices that we make to stay afloat and, interestingly, it draws parallels to a very different film that had come out a little later, which is Richard Curtis's moving and life-affirming About Time. A scene comes to mind, one in which Ryan is attempting to communicate with Matt and in which the audience clearly sees the closeup of a rook. The symbolism of this detail proves to be extremely significant, given the meaning and strategic value of the rook in chess, where the game always starts with two on each side and where this figure is powerful in controlling the board. Who tips the balance, we or the demons that control us? Sure, some of Gravity's technical details might not be the most accurate, but the technicalities are not the point here. The narrative as metaphor is the essence of Cuarón's storytelling and he paints the canvas with a fine brush, creating an exterior landscape that mirrors interior conflict.

The acting is top notch. Without hesitation, I will declare that Bullock gives the best performance of her career. I do not wish to jinx it for the actor, but I do believe that a new golden statue is just around the corner. She inhabits Ryan's initial fear, tears through her reserves of sheer resourcefulness and willpower, and finally has Ryan find herself again. The film is centered solely on one character and Bullock manages to bring energy to this context, a feat that not many actors might have been capable of achieving. Clooney does not have that much to do, although he brings a sobering honesty to a pivotal scene, and yes, that is the always great Ed Harris as the voice of NASA's mission control.

Gravity is a work for the ages, a film that changes one's perspective on the precious commodity that is life. We cannot allow ourselves to get lost, since there is no time like the present and no one gets a lot of time to spend. We are born, we exist and we are gone. The trick is to enjoy what is in between those moments. The trick is to breathe deeply, savor every image and taste and sound and touch and, above all, to love with our entire hearts.

The trick is to live.

10/10

R.I.P. Paul Walker

When I first read that actor Paul Walker had passed away, I immediately thought that it was a hoax. Some people seem to think that spreading death rumors is hilarious, so I did not believe it. Instead, I went to five web sources to check if it was true, all the while thinking that certain Internet users should find something constructive to do with their time. 

Sadly, it turned out to be very real. In a twist made up of pure cruel irony, Mr. Walker's life was taken in a car crash that also claimed the life of the driver, his friend. Two young lives, gone in an instant.

I cannot fathom what happened. This man was in his prime. He was only 40 years old. He was a father. He had given us hours of entertainment and was on his way to doing more good work, both on the silver screen and for the numerous charities that he had been involved with. It feels like we saw Fast 6 just recently and were counting down the months until the crew's next adventure. It feels strange knowing that someone can simply be gone, but it is the horrible reality of the fragile human existence. This tragedy is truly senseless, reminding us to cherish our loved ones and to cherish every moment on this Earth.

My thoughts are with Mr. Walker's family and friends. Sending love and light.

R.I.P.