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| Source: brusimm.com |
Among such releases was Danny Boyle’s latest film 127 HOURS, which my husband and I saw yesterday with a few friends.
Danny Boyle is a hero of sorts to us Indians ever since he brought the Oscars closer to home with his highly acclaimed and successful film ‘Slumdog Millionaire.’ He has cultivated his own cinematic style, which is evident yet again in this movie where he has transformed one man’s gut-wrenching tale of survival into a thrilling, life-affirming story that captures the power of the human spirit.
127 Hours is based on the real-life adventure of extreme mountaineer and canyoneer Aron Ralston as documented in his autobiography Between A Rock and A Hard Place. Aron met with a freak accident when his right forearm got trapped under a boulder during one of his expeditions in Utah in the Blue John Canyon
James Franco (Harry Osborn from the Spider-Man trilogy) has showcased his acting skills in a new light with his emotionally authentic, magnificent performance as Aron Ralston. The canyon’s harsh yet beautiful landscape, exhilarating background music, taut screenplay, crisp editing, and unique cinematography together make the movie a perfect adrenaline shot.
As described by Danny Boyle himself, 127 Hours is “an action movie with a guy who can’t move,” making the whole experience static yet full of life and energy. The major part of the movie revolves around Aron stuck in the canyon with his forearm under a boulder that refuses to budge. All he has with him are a camera, video recorder, a cheap, good-for-nothing pocketknife (that teaches Aron and the audience an important lesson about “Made in China
The cinematography of the film is brilliant as it helps convey Aron’s tension, despair, and isolation. The audience too slowly finds itself becoming a part of Aron’s dire predicament and mental and physical agony, and lives through the entire process of him making a desperate decision in a final bid to save his life.
The much talked about cringe-worthy yet relevant “scene” of the movie does induce visceral reactions from the audience. However, it forms the crux of the story as it is not only important to show that Aron escaped, but how he escaped is what brings forth his “never say die” super-human trait. It made me wonder, if, in his shoes, would I have had the strength to take such a drastic decision or would I have simply given up.
The movie beautifully brings out the fact that people always need people. It celebrates the indomitable human spirit that gives us the courage and resilience to survive in the most impossible situations. Seeing the real Aron Ralston at the end of the movie, full of zeal with his wife and son, gave me the happy ending I always look for in a movie. I came out of the movie feeling inspired and with an even stronger desire to make the best of every second I have.
The Clinomaniac’s verdict: WATCH IT (However, the famous “scene” is not for the faint of heart.)
More Info:
Rated: R (MPAA)
Running Time: 1 hr. 35 min.
In Theaters: Nov. 5 2010 Limited
Directed By: Danny Boyle
Written By: Danny Boyle, Simon Beaufoy
Cast:
James Franco-Aron Ralston
Kate Mera-Kristi
Amber Tamblyn-Megan
Kate Burton-Aron’s mom
Clémence Poésy-Rana
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