It’s hard to criticize a movie that celebrates the will to survive and does it so well. We know what Aron Ralston did to survive and this not only serves to build tension for the horrific conclusion, but also creates a bold and inspirational story. In April 2003 Ralston, a 27-year-old hiker, fell and was trapped in a narrow ravine in Blue John Canyon in Utah, his right arm wedged between a boulder and a rock wall. Ralston understood the gravity of his predicament and the eventual solution: using the blade of a cheap multipurpose tool, he cut off the immobilized arm between the elbow and the wrist, freeing himself after more than five days.
What makes this movie so amazing is how director Danny Boyle is able to transform Ralston’s experience of immobility and tedium into a dramatic feature-length film. Casting James Franco as Ralston was an audacious move and Franco gives the performance of a lifetime, making believers of those who considered him a lightweight actor. His energy and enthusiasm connect with the audience from the opening scenes. His Ralston wants to move and explore with hedonistic pleasure and we’re right there with him. And when Ralston becomes stuck, his performance is both grueling and heart breaking. There are scenes in “127 Hours” that are hard to bear – the cracking of bones, the severing of a nerve, the desperate consumption of a water bag filled with urine. I have to admit that I turned away, but these moments reinforce Ralston’s strong will to live. Using Aron Ralston’s memoir, Between a Rock and a Hard Place and the videotapes Ralston made in the canyon when he thought he was dying, Boyle brings to life a remarkable story while staying true to Ralston’s upbeat spirit. This movie isn’t for everyone, but if you see it, it will stay with you for a long time. 11/5/10
1 comment:
This gut-wrenching drama eliminates all questions about Danny Boyle's ability to make quality motion pictures. The film is very hard to watch and is definitely not for the feint of heart. If you go see it bring a veil to cover your eyes and cotton balls for your ears, as I say, its hard to watch!!
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