Call it the 2010 Titanic, the James Franco Show, or anything else you want. 127 Hours has to deal with not only everyone knowing the grizzly details of how it ends, but also leaving the audience to watch one man by himself for the majority of the hour and a half long film. Just one question, why the heck is this movie so good?
The film is the true story of Aron Ralston, who while canyoneering, becomes trapped. His arm stuck between a rock and a hard place, Aron is forced to not only deal with lack of food and water, but also his own inner demons, mainly that of loneliness. Eventually he is forced to amputate his own arm, in order to survive.
First thing, let’s get to Danny Boyle. The director behind Trainspotting and Slumdog Millionaire, has possibly made the film he’ll be remembered for. His familiar bright colors, interesting music selections, and great stories are all in hyperdrive in 127. The editing is absolutely genius and leads to an ending that brought me to both a giant smile, tears, and chills down my spine (the rare movie hat trick). Now to the story. Even though the main portion of the movie happens to Ralston (Franco) completely alone, this isn’t Ryan Reynolds in Buried. Through flashbacks, memories, dreams, hallucinations, and the like, we get to know Ralston as he himself has a time of self discovery. Quite honestly, I’m at a loss for words. Like the situation, the movie can be uncomfortable, claustrophobic, and agonizing. It’s not the type of movie to watch over and over. (Let this sink in: I haven’t mentioned blog favorite, James Franco’s amazing performance. Everything else is that good.)
Weekday Matinee 