Gravity – Movie Review by Abhirup Dhar

Some movies are made to be experiences… Some movies turn out to be experiences – visual, physical or a mix of both. Mexican Director Alfonso Cuaron’s ‘Gravity’ is not just a movie; it is an experience… something you won’t be able to wipe out from your memory for a very long time. As the lights fade and darkness envelops the hall, Cuaron takes you along with him to experience the outer space. You aren’t just watching it. You are there yourself; probably, a part of the team who are into the space mission or maybe, just a silent observer to sound more appropriate. ‘Gravity’ will have that kind of an impact on you. The 3D Experience was redefined by James Cameron in the brilliantly made ‘Avatar’. Cuaron here goes ahead and explores 3D again with the same intelligence and creativity and in the process makes it more engaging.

Dr. Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock), a medical engineer is on her very first space mission. She is on it with expert astronaut Matt Kowalsky (George Clooney). Debris from a Russian satellite explosion destroys their shuttle and they are the only two survivors stranded in outer space. The two now have to survive and find a way back to Earth.

The plot has nothing very novel to offer. You have seen umpteen sci-fi movies revolving around hope and survival. What sets this one apart is the way it is directed by Cuaron and enacted by the only two actors in the movie – Sandra Bullock delivering her best performance giving a fitting reply to her critics and George Clooney at his charming best in a supporting role. “Half of North America just lost their Facebook”, says Matt Kowalsky in midst of a mechanical problem. Bullock plays her role the way it is meant to be – tensed and serious. Often panned by critics for not being a part of good films, here is her answer to them. Her performance is so captivating that when she makes it to Earth and stands on her feet, you want to stand and applaud. “Either way, it’s going to be one hell of a ride.” – decides Ryan Stone when she has to take a huge risk which could either get her dead or survived. Cuaron knows his craft so well that you are willing to ignore the minor glitches in story-telling. 3D was last exploited so well in ‘Avatar’. Here, Cuaron takes it a step forward. Where ‘Gravity’ falters is Sandra Bullock’s back-story where she lost her daughter. It is melodramatic and wasn’t really needed except for giving Bullock a chance to express more.

Watch it or not: Yes. Absolutely!

At the Box-Office: Blockbuster… No two opinions on that! And what more… it lives up to the mammoth hype and expectations.

• About the Author

About Abhirup Dhar

I don't watch movies... I live them! Let me introduce myself. Abhirup Dhar was born in Kolkata and is still being brought up in India. A banker by profession, he is filmy to the core and is passionate about reviewing movies and writing. He likes to live on his own… he likes to be blunt, sarcastic, famous, infamous, confident, over-confident, moody at times… he likes to be himself. He is imperfect because perfection is boring. His love for movies dates back to his childhood days when he studied in a boarding school. A three-month Winter Vacation every year… and he made sure he watched as many movies then. Parents thought it was a phase... he knew it was Passion and he knew it back then itself. The craziness to watch movies on the Big Screen began during the last two years of school when he literally bunked to town so that he could catch up with the new Hindi Movie releases. Some thought he was plain crazy. He confirmed it was Passion... yet again. The hard fact is that not always can you walk a path you are passionate about. You have expectations to fulfill and Life to be made. But Life gives you chances and you have to grab them. So... here is he... your friendly critic who will be giving you his Verdict every week so that you can decide which release is worth your moolah and which is not! See you at the Movies! Stay connected at Facebook and Twitter!