127 Hours

Welcome to another episode of Lights....Camera....Popcorn!

Today's review is 127 Hours. Directed by Danny Boyle. Written by Danny Boyle & Simon Beaufoy. Based on the book "Between a Rock and a Hard Place" Written by Aron Ralston.

100th review countdown....#94

MPAA Rating: R for language and some disturbing violent content/bloody images.

Runtime: 94 min

Cast

James Franco - Aron Ralston

Kate Mara - Kristi

Amber Tamblyn - Megan
   
Sean Bott - Aron's Friend
   
Treat Williams - Aron's Dad

Kate Burton - Aron's Mom

Clémence Poésy - Rana
   
Lizzy Caplan - Sonja Ralston


How far would you go to save your own life? How far could you go to save your own life? How much could you sacrifice? Those questions are answered in very explicit detail as Danny Boyle brings us the remarkable true story of Aron Raltson's week long quest to defy the Grim Reaper.

The film chronicles the recklessly arrogant mountain climber whose arm gets crushed under a boulder during a trip through Utah canyon country. With no one coming to save him, he must decide whether he will die or fight for survival.

At first glance this movie could draw comparisons to Cast Away. In theory it makes sense just by looking at the bare essential plot points.

1) The film's main character suffers a tragic accident that leaves him stranded in an isolated environment.

2) The main character struggles to acclimate himself to his new surroundings while trying to maintain his sanity.

3) The min character takes extreme measures to ensure rescue.

That's where the comparisons end. There's really only 1 major difference between the two. This film is BETTER! 

Danny Boyle once again continues to challenge himself with very interesting projects and story matter. He doesn't hide from stories that many other directors would turn the other cheek at. It's very easy to fail with a movie that has such a simple concept. You have to find ways to avoid the boredom factor which is what Cast Away failed to do while 127 Hours avoided it.

In order to achieve this you have to start with the amazing performance of James Franco as Aron. It was reported that both Boyle and Franco watched the actual video tape that Ralston made while trapped in the canyon. This gave Franco the ability to channel the mindset Aron was in as the hours ticked by. It did the trick. Franco portrays Ralston with reckless abandon yet maintaining his skill as an extreme sports athlete. As the days go by when he's trapped, you really feel his mind starting to wander as his sanity slowly starts to leave him. He's got a Best Actor nomination in his immediate future.

This segues perfectly to Boyle's subtle and no to subtle tricks that help pass the time away. He takes you inside Ralston's mind during those trying times. That experience is aided masterfully by the camera work. The area that Ralston is caught in is so limited. You truly feel the claustrophobia. Boyle employs standard hand held with a camera rigged to Franco's waist mixed in with the home video look. Those different shots blended very well in the editing room giving the film a mixture of emotions. You add a very stirring score that sneaks up on you at just the right time you have yourself a Danny Boyle film. He's a complete filmmaker. He doesn't take one aspect for granted and gives every element the respect it deserves.

These points aren't more evident than in the "scene."

For those of you that have already seen this film then you know what I'm talking about. The scene in a word is BRUTAL to watch but necessary and mandatory viewing. You really can't appreciate what this man really went through unless you see first hand the steps he took to solidify his only realistic chance at survival. It's at this point where you will be asking yourself if you could do what Aron did if it meant that you would make it out survive.

This is what makes 127 Hours so powerful. You're not just watching a story of an extraordinary man's  survival. You're watching a story that connects you to an event that can shape and change your life from the inside out. That's not a movie.

It's an experience.

On the 5 star scale. 127 Hours gets the full house, 5 stars with a "Worth Every Penny" Recommendation.

Can this film crack the top 10 for Best Picture? Hell Yeah! Can it win? I don't see how with all the heavy hitters yet to display their talents but nobody saw Slumdog Millionaire coming two years ago. And that film ran through everyone in it's path.

That's a wrap for today. Up next is Black Swan.

Until Next Episode...."I'll Save You A Seat!"

"D"