So, how crazy is space? I mean…seriously.
Once I was thinking about the universe—which doesn’t happen often, but we all have our philosopher moments now and then—and it struck me: The same God who created things like blood vessels and pollen and rain drops—the minutest details that pump life into our bodies, plants, the earth—also created a vast and unfathomable universe with an ordered pulse. Like an artist whose range spans from painting eyelashes on a china doll to Sistine Chapel magnificence.
Crazy.
Well I saw Gravity recently—and for about 90 minutes it made me think about the craziness of space and the universe all over again. But then for days it made me think about life and stories…and what makes a good life and what makes a good story.
I was blown away by the movie. I’m not going to review it, because I’m pretty certain I couldn’t do it justice and others have already written great reviews. Suffice it to say, it may be the best movie I’ve seen all year* and should win a gazillion awards and is just gorgeous—not only visually, but also symbolically.
Sidenote: Seriously, if you’re a writer, you need to see this movie if only for the use of symbolism and imagery alone. I once sat in on a class on symbolism taught by author Rachel Hauck and she said good symbolism never detracts from a story—only adds to it. For people who aren’t into that kind of thing, it’ll go over their heads—no harm done. But for the ones who catch it, it takes the story to a whole new level while keeping you perfectly ensconced in what’s happening on the page—or on screen, in this case. Gravity nailed it.
The movie is about Dr. Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock), a medical engineer on her first and what should be routine shuttle mission. But when debris hits and destroys the shuttle, she’s left adrift in space.
Now here’s the thing: I’ve heard a few friends say they couldn’t get into Gravity because there wasn’t much in the way of backstory or character development. Some felt the story itself was lacking.
I disagree. Lots.
And here’s why:
To me, the best stories are always the ones that present a character with a choice, a chance to change…and in the process, captivate you as the reader or viewer by taking you to that same place, where the weight of the character’s decision feels like your own and leaves you emotionally breathless.
Which is exactly what Gravity did to me.
Choices make stories.
Have you ever read a book that fell sort of flat and you couldn’t figure out why? There could be any number of reasons, but one thing that’s sure to stall my interest every time is reactionary characters—characters who endure obstacle after obstacle, but only ever passively react rather than eventually proactively facing things head-on. I like characters who, after the initial obstacle-induced shock or panic or freeze, encounter a fork in the road and at some point consciously make a choice about what direction to go—right or wrong or in-between**—and are thrust into their next act.
That’s story. That’s character development. It’s those characters and stories and moments of choice that stick with me.
And it was those moments in the movie—when Sandra Bullock’s character is faced with some very literal and also internal/emotional choices between life and death—that made Gravity so incredibly relatable to me.
You and I are probably never going to be untethered and disaster-ridden in space. But there will be times when debris flies at us. When, even though circumstances are out of our control, we find ourselves staring down a weighty choice.
…Between spiritual or emotional life and death.
…Our past and our future.
…Who we’ve been and who we want to be.
Those are the pivotal moments in life. The ones that lead to change. The ones that turn the stories of our lives into something as weighty and impacting as Gravity.
*****
Have you seen Gravity? What did you think?
*****
*You should probably take this statement with a grain of salt considering I haven’t even seen all that many new movies this year. But I am looking forward to the next Thor movie because, well, it’s Thor. AND I saw a trailer for the new Walter Mitty movie and I am super excited about it—pretty sure it’s going to blow the Danny Kaye version out of the water. I mean, I like Danny Kaye but that movie butchered the actual short story upon which its based. And for all his ridiculousness, Ben Stiller has this ability to pull off really great performances with the right material.
**And for the record, initially choosing wrong usually makes for the better story. Unless you like perfect characters.
Comments 20
Totally loved it, Melissa. Even if I only got to gaze into George’s eyes for minutes. 🙂 But the writers of the film totally blew me away. I titled my blog, “Gravity – And the Things That Ground Me,” because I love any story of lost and found that reminds us of how we will all know loss in some capacity over our lifetimes, but what we find in the midst of loss are treasures not to be missed, even if the road that leads us there is bumpy, crazy and down right treacherous! Happy Friday, Melissa!
And yes. I cried. of course.
-raj
http://rajdeeppaulus.com/gravity/ <—If you're interested on my take. 🙂
Author
Went and read your post, Raj. Loved it. Left ya a comment there, so I won’t repeat myself but yeah…great write-up!
And yeah, I might’ve cried a little too. Yay for 3D glasses to hide the mascara smudges…well, until the movie was over anyway…ha!
Well, of course, now you piqued my interest! And two of my favorite stars (of today), too!
I loved what you said: “…where the weight of the character’s decision feels like your own and leaves you emotionally breathless.” That’s it exactly! That’s how we feel about great books and movies and those are the ones I remember forever.
I have to see this movie!
Author
Yup, my favorite stories are always the ones where a character’s decision feels so incredibly weighty to me…love it!
I haven’t seen Gravity! And, like you, I haven’t seen many movies in the theater this year…maybe one or two (and I can’t bring to mind which ones they were at the moment). 🙂 I love your thoughts here. I’ve been praying about my writing, asking God to help me use imagery and symbolism–and this very morning He gave me a story idea! Now, it’s all I can think about!! But, I still have two other stories to write in my series before I can explore this new one further. The new characters have started calling to me, though, but I have to tell them to take a number and wait in line. 🙂
Author
I think this was the fourth one I’ve gone to this year. There are a couple coming up I’m excited about, though, so the number will increase a little.
Love that you’re praying about your writing in such a detailed way. AND that you’ve got another story idea!! Can’t wait to hear about it sometime. 🙂 Last night I was brainstorming while on my elliptical and realized that there’s this perfect, ready-made overarching metaphor for my MC in my next book…I got so excited about it I about fell off the machine.
Yes! I loved Gravity. It was shorter than most movies but totally packed with thought. I mean, first, there was just the whole “wow, if you started spinning in space, there is really nothing to stop you” thing. Which is freaky…and yet, how often in life is that the case? That we need someone — Someone — to stop us from turning our wheels and just rest in Him…trust in Him to get us to safety.
Then, there was just the power of her choice. I mean, she tells us about her dark moment, and we see why she is the way she is. And we see why she might make the “easy” choice to give up. Trying not to spoil it for anyone who hasn’t seen it…but yes! I just loved the symbolism. I’m going to have to text you more about this.
Author
Sooo…I was going to respond to your comment but we’ve basically had a whole conversation via text about this already. Haha! Love talking stories with you, my friend.
I saw it–3D, big screen. I don’t think I breathed through the whole thing.
Author
Me too–both on the 3D viewing and the not breathing. I turned to the person I was with when it ended and was like, “I have not been that stressed during a movie in a LONG time.”
I haven’t seen Gravity, but I’m really wanting to. It’s sounding like it’s worth my money!
Backstory and character development have one main purpose: making you care about the character. But sometimes it can be to the detriment of the rest of the story (and let’s face it, there is only a finite amount of time to tell any story) they can make you care in other ways – by making you identify with their present circumstances, for instance. That’s just my unqualified, amateur opinion though!
Author
Definitely worth the money, Melissa. And you know, in this one, I really thought a lot about the backstory after seeing it…they give you little snippets through Bullock’s POV…and for me, that was totally enough. Anymore and it almost would’ve detracted from that feeling of the viewer actually being there in space, in the present, with Bullock. So yes, basically what you were saying about making you car by letting you identify with the character in the present.
Huh. I never was too interested in this movie (aside from Sandra Bullock, who I think is an awesome actress!) but you have piqued my interest. Perhaps I’ll rent it once it comes to DVD.
Thanks for this post, Melissa! 🙂
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Normally I’d say, yes, cool, see it on DVD…but this is one you might want to consider seeing in theater in 3D…it’s just that gorgeous visually! 🙂
You are always so smart Melissa 🙂 I love symbolism in movies and books.
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Thanks, Lisa! And yeah…that class I mentioned with Rachel Hauck seriously changed how I thought about symbolism…done well, it so totally enriches a story!
Melissa, love your reflections and how Gravity stimulated such wonderful insights into the power of story!
I might go see the movie this weekend. Sounds like best in 3D. Thanks for the recommendation and insights.
PS. I’m looking forward to the new Thor movie too. What’s not too luck about an Aussie super-hero. Ha!
Author
Oh yeah, I’m guessing it’s best in 3D…I mean, I haven’t seen it not in 3D, so I have nothing to compare it to. But it was definitely stunning.
Haha, oh yes, Chris Hemsworth is an Aussie…which only adds to his cool factor. 🙂
I haven’t seen it yet, but I’ve heard amazing things about it! I’m gonna have to break down and watch it, even though I keep thinking it’ll be slow. And I agree, it’s facing choices–and sometimes choosing wrong–that makes a story. You’ve got to grow from the first page to last.
Author
Yeah, I have to laugh when people get upset about a character making a bad choice in a book or movie…at least if it’s in the first half to two-thirds of the story…because come on, if characters just make good choices ALL the time, a) they’re boring and b) they’re kinda unrealistic. There’s no room for growth if they’re already perfect in the beginning.
And if your Gravity viewing experience is anything like mine, it won’t seem slow. 🙂