Gravity
Written by Alfonso Cuarón & Jonás Cuarón
Sandra Bullock, George Clooney.
During her first mission to space, engineer Dr Ryan Stone (Bullock) and her space commander, Lt Matt Kowalski (Clooney) are trapped in space after a devastating event has destroyed their space shuttle. As their oxygen runs low, they battle the elements as well as time before a dangerous cloud of space debris which is hurtling through space hits them.
Amazingly directed, is one of the most visually stunning portrayals of space put on film. The way the cast were filmed, with some long takes that go between long and wide takes, to extreme close ups all within one shot. Cuarón was very deserving of his Oscar win.
Bullock, who was also nominated for an Oscar for her performance, is predominately on screen for every second of the film. For the second half of the film ** spoiler ** she is the only cast member on screen. While the realism of Stone being in space in the first place might be controversial, Bullock delivers.
The score is prominent for most of the film, due to the location of space having no sound. The score plays when most of the action occurs, with no diegetic sound behind it – because sound of course does not exist in space. Steven Price won an Oscar for this incredible score. The action sequences that occur are breathtaking, especially as Stone is caught up in the middle of most of it.
There is a strong screenplay, which the film needed with such a minimal cast. There are moments throughout the proceedings where the use of verbal communications is not needed, rather it is the visuals that play the role in Stones journey.
Very impressive film by all involved and deserving of its 7 Oscars.
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