The Greatest Showman #1534 - Can’t Stop
Boom, boom, boom!
Boom, boom, boom!
The mighty applause has broken away from its original rhythm, bursting forth with earth-shattering power. Like thunder, it rolls and reverberates throughout the auditorium. The overwhelming tension escalates, intensifying, stirring everything in its path.
There are no words needed. The audience's response speaks for itself. Thunderous applause is the only way to truly capture the experience.
What's more, even if words were used, no language seems adequate to express it. Applause, then, becomes the only choice.
It's not just the audience, either. Even Renly feels it.
Renly has appeared in many works, both in leading and supporting roles. He's watched his own performances on screens of all sizes, an experience that's always fascinating. The films he once watched in his past life, now being performed by him, take on new nuances, new colors. Whether better or worse, they are no longer what they once were.
But "Gravity"? This one stands apart from anything else. It's different from every film he's been in, a completely unique experience.
In his past life, Renly lay in a hospital bed, watching the movie on a small screen. For most films, the format or quality doesn't drastically affect the experience, but for "Gravity," everything—the screen size, the picture quality, the 3D effects—changes how the movie is felt.
Today, Renly sits in the Venice Film Festival cinema, witnessing the magic of 3D technology and IMAX. Every minute detail, every speck of dust, every subtle breeze is magnified, bringing the world of the movie into sharp focus. The experience is overwhelming.
The 3D revolution sparked by Avatar set off a wave of frenzy, with many films jumping on the 3D bandwagon. Yet most of these works use post-production conversion, which falls short compared to the pure 3D creation of Avatar. The transformation process often proves to be more cost-effective than it is artistically valuable.
But "Gravity" defies that trend. Alfonso Cuaron's masterwork does more than just utilize 3D technology; it makes it an integral part of the film's storytelling, drawing the audience into the cosmic beauty, the thrilling disaster scenes, and the grounded realism of space. It's a breathtaking, visceral experience that stays with you long after the credits roll.
This is the art of cinema. Not mere literary creation, nor the compositional beauty of painting or photography, nor the theatrical tension of the stage. It's something that belongs solely to film—the image, the light, the composition, the fusion of the characters and their plot, the seamless blend of thought and emotion. It's the synthesis of sound, perspective, performance, and text, creating something that transcends other art forms. A unique seventh art.
Renly's previous works may have been great, but none of them quite reach the level of "art" that Gravity does. From the gestation in the womb to growth in the depths of the ocean, to defying gravity and transcending the limitations of the human form, each scene opens a dialogue, inviting deep reflection. The 3D images and IMAX technology carry the viewer into this experience, detonating emotional shocks deep within the soul.
For Renly, watching the film isn't just about the story or his performance—it's about witnessing Alfonso Cuaron's artistry, the brilliance behind the camera that gives life to a miracle. All of Cuaron's philosophical musings and life explorations are woven seamlessly into the film, left for the audience to interpret.
Brilliant. Simply brilliant.
Even Renly, usually reserved in his reactions, can't contain his emotions. He stands up, applauding with all his heart, honoring Alfonso Cuaron's incredible achievement.
Why do people say that television is the art of screenwriters, theater is the art of actors, and cinema is the art of directors? After watching Gravity, Renly understands why.
While Renly has had many monumental moments in his career—his Oscar-winning performance in Crazy in Love, his breakout role in Buried Alive, his acting breakthrough in Detached, and his films like Drunken Country Ballad and Edge of Tomorrow that changed the landscape of Hollywood—today, he realizes that this is the work he will look back on as the most important of his career.
It's an honor to be a part of Gravity. It's not just a film; it's the defining work of his life.
Renly's applause is unrestrained, and Alfonso looks toward the audience, a bit flustered and shy, not sure how to react. When he notices Renly applauding, he can't help but smile, though still unsure how to handle the moment.
Rooney Mara, too, rises to applaud. Gravity is, for her, the most significant work of her career, even more so than The Social Network or Dragon Tattoo. Though her role is small, she was deeply moved by Renly's performance and by Cuaron's cinematic genius.
The last scene of the movie, for Rooney, was unlike anything she'd ever experienced before. It's the most powerful moment of her film-watching life—every element, from performance to direction to composition, perfectly executed. The only response is to give a standing ovation.
As applause fills the hall, it rises to a crescendo that shakes the very foundation of the theater. Fifteen minutes of uninterrupted, fevered clapping—this is the most passionate moment the Venice Film Festival has seen in decades. It's a powerful reminder that art, in its purest form, has the ability to move us to our core.
The new president of the Venice Film Festival, Alberto Barbera, watches from the sidelines, torn. On one hand, he's stunned that Gravity didn't make it to the main competition—this film is undoubtedly the strongest contender for the Golden Lion. On the other hand, he's relieved, knowing that if it had, there would have been intense controversy, especially regarding the jury's Italian members.
As the applause continues, Barbera signals for the hosts to bring the filmmakers and stars to the stage. When Alfonso Cuaron, Renly, and Rooney Mara take the spotlight, the applause surges even higher. The audience is on its feet, showing their respect in the only way they can—through their collective standing ovation.
This is their one chance to pay tribute, as the Gravity crew will soon head to Toronto, and this moment of appreciation is fleeting. They stand, showing their highest respect, for this will be the final time they'll see the team together in the main competition.
The Venice Film Festival has begun its 70th anniversary celebrations in the most powerful way possible, with a film that will be remembered for years to come.