Rating:  

Cloud Eight Films, Everest Entertainment, Darlow Smithson Productions, Dune Entertainment III, Pathe, and Fox Searchlight Pictures.

Written by: Danny Boyle and Simon Beaufoy, adapted from the novel, “Between A Rock And A Hard Place” by Aron Ralston.

“127 Hours” is astonishing, overwhelming, and one of the more affecting experiences I have had with a movie in quite some time. Danny Boyle, the director who has given us “Trainspotting”, “28 Days Later”, and the Oscar-winning “Slumdog Millionaire”, has arguably delivered his masterpiece.

Many know the story of Aron Ralston, the carefree and some would say, careless, Utah mountain climber and outdoorsman who on a weekend climbing excursion in Moab, Utah, slipped into a canyon and had a chockstone boulder fall on top of his right arm, pinning and crushing it against the canyon wall. Literally prone and unable to move, Ralston remained there for five days, eventually running out of food and water. Dehydrated and fearing his death was imminent, Ralston summoned the courage to break his arm and then self-amputate it as a last-ditch effort to save his life. His survival and his experience is nothing short of unbelievable and Ralston has since documented the event in a book, spoke at length about the event on television and via the lecture circuit, and has returned to mountain climbing. Some have polarizing opinions on Ralston the man; however, few, if any, can deny that his story is simply remarkable.

And in theory, unfilmable.

Danny Boyle long wanted to tell the Ralston story, but received near unanimous resistance from the studios he approached with the project. And for obvious reason. As compelling a story as it is, how do you possibly sell a film in which a man is stationary and stuck in a canyon for five days and then must sever his own arm to survive? Undaunted, Boyle felt he needed to write the movie himself and then a little success called “Slumdog Millionaire” happened. After “Millionaire” swept the awards season of 2008, Boyle was able to get the Ralston project greenlighted. Thank goodness.

“127 Hours” is a film that I am convinced only Danny Boyle could make and he has never been more locked in and focused on a film yet. Aiding in Boyle’s achievement is a career-defining performance by James Franco. I have long been a fan of Franco’s, admiring his ability to chameleon into different types of roles with relative ease. But when thinking of his finest performances to date; Scott Smith in “Milk”, Joey in “City By The Sea”, James Dean in the TV movie “James Dean” and even comedic turns in “Pineapple Express” and “Date Night”, I had no idea that Franco could do this. As Ralston, Franco solidifies placement in the top tier of talented actors – balancing himself between every conceivable and plausible emotion. He conveys and documents, with his dying video camera, the despair, the frantic hopelessness, the comedy of the situation, the contemplative heartbreak, and the plain-faced reality of his own impending death flawlessly. Franco’s performance is literally one of the finest performances I have ever seen, worthy of any recognition the film industry wishes to bestow upon him.

Boyle crackles the film initially at a hyperkinetic pace, utilizing a triptych of busy-ness and city life surrounding a rather aloof and nonplussed Ralston, in his apartment grabbing this and that from here and there, tossing it in that random backpack, and setting off on his bike for a weekend getaway to wherever. Does he pick up the call from his mother? Nah. He’ll call when he gets back – she’ll understand. Did he bother to share with his co-worker or any friends where he’ll be trekking off to? Nope. It’s just a weekend. They’ll see me back on Monday.

Boyle and his incredible cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantle, along with additional work from Enrique Chediak, place you squarely in the location and the mindset of Ralston. The intoxication of stepping away and shutting out the world may seem like a nice dream to chase for those of us surrounding the Aron Ralstons of the world, but Aron lives it, strives for it, and bathes in it. An afternoon encounter with two attractive and engaging college girls centers around rock-climbing, a breathtaking freefall into beautiful blue waters, and the realization between the women when Aron bids them adieu that they may not have even factored into his day whatsoever.

“127 Hours” is gorgeous to watch, breathtaking to witness, and then for several unflinching and jaw-dropping minutes delivers one of the most emotional experiences I have ever endured in a film. The severing of the arm is understandably where all of the focus is placed when people talk about the Ralston story, book, and film. So, let me say this about “the scene.” Boyle and his makeup team brought in Ralston and medical consultants to aim for the most realistic depiction of the amputation as possible. Depicted on screen, Boyle shoots the sequence unflinchingly realistic, never shying away from Ralston’s experience. It’s all there. And you feel it, you see it, and you go through it with Ralston. Boyle wouldn’t have it any other way.

“127 Hours” is much more important than a graphic sequence that saves a man’s life. It is too simplistic to simply marvel at what Ralston did and question whether you could do it. Under the guidance of Boyle, “127 Hours” probes into those relationships, those moments we take for granted and expect to be there the next time. Less a rumination on the old “Live Life To The Fullest!” mindset, Boyle has crafted an essay on what it means to survive day-to-day and moment-to-moment, albeit with the backdrop of one of the most dire and helpless situations imaginable. For those faceless busy folks traveling around Ralston in the opening moments, its getting from Point A to Point B and then to the next thing and the next and the next. Ralston, on a basic level, has the same drive and desire, he just sets his speedometer at a different speed than the rest of the world. And yet his desperation and emotional center is the same as everyone else.

Should I See It?

YES

First and foremost, it is an extraordinary experience watching this film. See it because it is one of 2010′s best films. The list of why you should see this, for me, is almost endless.

Aron Ralston’s story is extraordinary and many will take inspiration for seeing his story depicted on screen.

James Franco gives one of the great performances of recent years. He is exceptional.

Engrossing and unforgettable, Danny Boyle has done the unthinkable, telling a harrowing and isolated story of survival by bringing to that canyon, with that situation, and making us come as close as possible to experiencing what Ralston went through.

NO

Let’s get it out of the way. The amputation scene has legitimately made people react in all kinds of ways – fainting, getting sick, gagging. I cannot tell you to avoid a movie this good when you can just look away for a few minutes, but the scene is a real as possible and will affect you.

Danny Boyle’s stylized and fevered approach to telling the story may prove to be off-putting and detract from the emotional impact.

Aron Ralston may come off as arrogant and rather unlikable and some have expressed a difficulty in caring about him and/or his predictament.

Maybe Aron Ralston or someone involved owes you money or kicked your dog or something? Seriously, this is too good a film to miss.