Something to watch tonight: Monday 22 December
Gravity (Cuarón, 2013)
Back in 2013, when the editor-in-chief and I were first dating, we saw Gravity twice at the Embassy Theatre in Wellington. Both times we gripped each other’s hands throughout, the tension and excitement were so great.
I’ve had the Blu-ray sitting around unwatched for more than a decade as I had been worried that the relatively smaller screen, the lack of immersive 3D, the domestic distractions (cats etc.) would hamper the experience, but I’m pleased to report that when we finally got around to it on Saturday night it was just as thrilling as it ever was.
Here’s my review from November 2013.
Is Gravity the first really new film of the 21st Century? I hazard it may be. It is certainly the first to harness the bleeding edge of the current technologies (performance capture, 3D, sophisticated robotic camera rigs) to serve a story that could only really exist in this form. Sure, once his ears had stopped bleeding Georges Meliés would totally recognise what director Alfonso Cuarón and his screenwriter partner (and son) Jonás are doing here, but he would be the first to put his hand up to say that he wouldn’t have been able to do it. Same for Kubrick, I suspect.
During a routine shuttle mission high above the Earth, astronauts Sandy Bullock and George Clooney are struggling to make some adjustments to the Hubble telescope when Houston (a nicely cast Ed Harris) warns them of some incoming debris. A Russian spy satellite has been destroyed by its owners causing a chain reaction as the little buggers kick-off all over the place. Tiny fragments of satellite travel at lethal speeds on roughly the same orbit and our heroes have to get to safety before they risk being vaporised.
Which they don’t manage – that’s roughly the first ten minutes. The rest of the film is them trying to get back home with no shuttle, no ISS and no NASA, just the two of them floating hundreds of miles above a docile looking planet and the promise of a Russian (or maybe a Chinese) ship that can get them home.
What Cuarón has managed here – through a combination of exquisite sound design, near-perfect VFX and his trademark long, fluid takes – is to make you believe. The debates about the science have been going back and forth for a while but the film feels authentic which is the most important thing, right? A simple story, made to look simple with the aid of about a hundred million dollars, Gravity is a new benchmark for cinema entertainment.
Also in that F&S review:
Andrew Adamson’s charming adaptation of Lloyd Jones’ Mr. Pip (whatever happened to Adamson the live-action director?), Adam Sandler low point Grown Ups 2, excellent local documentary Antarctica: A Year on Ice, 3D dance movie Battle of the Year and Mark Walhberg and Denzel Washington teaming up in 2 Guns.
Further reading
My lighthearted guide to the holiday cinema options is up at RNZ. I wonder how many of these I will get to …
Editor’s note
Just a quick reminder that I am taking some proper time off this summer. This will be the last newsletter for 2025 and normal service will resume on 12 January. If you wanted to give a Christmas present that is a gift to myself as well as a loved one, consider clicking the button below and giving a Funerals & Snakes paid subscription. They are highly motivational, let me assure you.
Where to watch Gravity
Aotearoa: Digital rental
Australia: Streaming on SBS On Demand or HBO Max
Canada: Streaming on Prime Video or Starz
Ireland & UK: Streaming on Sky or NowTV
India: Streaming on Prime Video
USA: Digital rental
Only saw this the one time on the big screen, but by the end felt like I'd forgotten to breathe for the preceding 90 min! Have only seen once since then, like you also at home, and while not the same visceral experience, still a super-tense watch.