Special to The Prospector

The Union Cinema showed “Gravity” on March 29 as part of the Get Reel’s spring 2014 film lineup. The movie had been anticipated due to the fact that not only did the director, Alfonso Cuaron, win an Oscar, but also the movie received several awards on Oscar night.

The movie happened to be very interesting. The roles played by Sandra Bullock and George Clooney added more popularity to the film.

The plot takes place in an unusual setting–in space, where there is no gravity and there is nothing but solitude. Dr. Ryan Stone, played by Bullock, is a medical engineer on her first mission in space. After an explosion occurs, she and a veteran astronaut, Matt Kowalsky, played by Clooney, on his last mission in space are stranded without any backup in the middle of nowhere.

The crew was supposed to fix the shuttle, but while they were doing a spacewalk and fixing the shuttle, the disaster happens and they are forced to abandon their task. There were only four astronauts on the shuttle and after everything, only Stone survives.

Bullock basically acts alone in the movie for more than 50 percent of the time. First, I was surprised to learn that Clooney was not the central character in the plot. Second, it is incredible what they accomplished with the emptiness of the setting.

The special effects were amazing because they provided the necessary mood to keep the audience engaged in the story.

The themes in the story are very intriguing. One of them is the final destination for every human, which is death. In the film, the characters face death in an abrupt way, except for Stone, who survives and gets time to reflect on her life and final days.

Another theme that stood out is friendship. The characters interacted with one another, although their contact on Earth began with humor and guidance.

The final important theme is survival. Stone and Kowalsky do everything they can to survive the disaster. Kowalsky gives his life to save Stone, which was a great act of love.

A final note, in my opinion, the movie is very good. It has strong themes and great special effects, so I do recommend it to everyone, whether they like science fiction or not.

Up next at the Union Cinema, “Instructions not Included,,” April 11-12; “Blackfish,” April 25-26; and “Saving Mr. Banks,” May 2-3.  For more information call Union Services at (915) 747-5711.