 |
|
Allow me to be very clear about one thing. If you see this movie you will see someone cut off his arm. Sure, the story is about Aron Ralston, who was trapped for 127 hours in a canyon when a rock fell on his arm. As it’s based on a true story, I assume everyone knows that walking in. It’s also fairly common knowledge that he ended up cutting off his arm to escape. Not that I didn’t know this when I entered the theatre, but somehow I didn’t really expect it to be so graphic. You might be thinking, “hey, that’s just makeup.” Logically I agree. However, in that moment, in the theatre, I couldn’t summon that thought. I was watching someone cut off his arm … in the most gruesome manner imaginable. So, be very sure that you are willing to see this before buying your ticket. It’s not for those with a weak stomach. |
|
With that out of the way, 127 Hours is the true story of 27-year-old Aron Ralston, played by James Franco (Pineapple Express, Spiderman). He headed out on a weekend mountain biking/hiking adventure by himself. He didn’t tell anyone where he was going. One co-worker knew that he was traveling somewhere, but wasn’t given any details. Ralston is the very adventurous type, and as he is slowly climbing down into a very narrow and very deep canyon, he loses his footing as a rock breaks loose. Both he and the rock go tumbling to the bottom, where a few feet from the canyon base the rock lodges itself between the two sides of the canyon, trapping Ralston’s right arm between the canyon wall and the rock. Start the clock…. 127 hours start now.
This movie is one of the most intimate looks at a character that I have ever seen. More than 80% of the movie is simply Ralston, by himself, seeking adventure, or trying to get out of his predicament, or reflecting on life and remembering every one of his favorite memories, or reflecting on things he wishes he could change. The viewer sees why his relationships failed, sees his hopes and dreams, sees some of his intimate fantasies, and sees all of his fears. In the course of the hour and a half, you come to learn as much about this man as you know about some of your closest friends. Franco’s performance is truly fantastic in the way that he can show you this much about his character in such a short period of time.
Also fantastic is director Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire, 28 Days Later) who goes back to some of his roots, as scenes and shots in this film take you back to Trainspotting. The way Ralston sips his water, and the way he eats his last bites of food are incredibly reminiscent of the way the characters in Trainspotting lust after heroin. Using straight on angles, and extreme close-ups, you can’t help but think that the water is his drug. It keeps him moderately sane in the same way heroin will keep a junkie from losing their mind.
Overall, its an incredible character study that can’t help but illicit some form of emotion when Ralston finally breaks free and starts to work his way to freedom, and back to his life.
Even though my weak stomach remained for at least an hour after the movie was over, I give it a solid 4 out of 5 stars. |
