There was quite the debate on Twitter a couple of weeks ago as to whether Alien could be classified as a horror film. Sure, it’s definitely sci-fi horror but many have called it the “slasher film in space” or the “haunted house film in space”. However, despite the fact that the alien in Alien is absolutely terrifying, the extra edge is the fact that literally in space no one can hear you scream.
Director Alfonso Cuaron understands this notion perfectly, the fact that unending nothingness and complete silence is almost more frightening than any ghost or attacker in any given horror film. The fear is the unknown, the pressure surrounding you, the inability to just breathe and of course, the complete and utter isolation.
Let’s address the problems with Gravity, which are very few. There have been a lot of concerns raised around the facts of the film, whether some of the events which occur could actually happen in space but that is neither here nor there. Cuaron’s achievement transcends all of that, this is a survival story that will leave you weak at the knees, a labour of love which is so beautiful it took him four years to make.
Gravity begins with Ryan Stone (Bullock), a medical engineer and Kowalski (Clooney), an astronaut, carrying out maintenance work on a ship in space. However, due to an accident involving a satellite, the ship is heavily damaged and leaves Stone spiralling through space untethered. With the death of their crew members and with the loss of contact with their base, Kowalski and Stone are left alone attempting to make their way to another ship before they run out of oxygen.
Initially, you will be struck by the sound. If you can get to see Gravity in IMAX 3d, please make it a must. In the very first scene, you will hear Houston in what you think is your headpiece only to realise that you are still in the cinema. You will actually physically look behind you to find out where the sound is coming from, already creating the illusion that you are a part of the film, that you are literally within Bullock’s helmet. And the sound doesn’t let up there, Bullock’s heavy breathing when she becomes untethered will leave you panicking that she is running out of oxygen and then there is the absolutely deafening silence. The never-ending lonely silence.
The second thing that will take you back is how beautiful this film actually is, every shot is spellbinding leaving you in complete awe of how Cuaron managed to film these scenes so effortlessly. The attention to detail is astonishing, right down to the reflections of the Earth in the astronauts’ helmet and the beautiful Northern Lights. There is also a worry that this may leave the audience feeling like they want to throw up, the entire piece will leave you seasick.
Although Clooney is his usual charming self, Bullock certainly steals the show. Yes, there are moments where this borders on cheese but given the situation she has been placed in, you can almost forgive her in the less impressive scenes. She is entirely believable as the newbie astronaut.
There is also a level to Gravity which will not make itself obvious straight away, the symbolism. Predominantly, it revolves around the journey through life, birth, death and rebirth. No other scene proves this as strongly as when Bullock enters the ship and looks like a baby in the womb, she is being born again.
Arguably one of the finer and more intense films you will see this year, Gravity is a must.
