Year: 2010
Starring: James Franco, Kate Mara and Amber Tamblyn
WARNING: MAJOR PLOT SPOILER
Synopsis:
High octane adrenalin junky Aron Ralston believes he’s invincible and can do anything unaided whilst on an adventure holiday. In the film, Aron refers to the great outdoors as being his “second home”. On Saturday, 26th April 2003, Aron decides to trek alone through the remote Blue John Canyon, and like many other treks in the past, he neglects to tell anyone about his destination. Unfortunately, on this particular trek, he slips down a small crevasse, a boulder also falls, trapping his arm and wedging it against the rock face. He has access to his rucksack and his small supply of rations as he unsuccessfully attempts to remove the boulder from his arm. He then tries to chip away at the rock with his multi-tool so he can slide his hand out, this also proves impossible. As these attempts haven’t worked, he hopes for someone to rescue him - the most likely candidates are Kristi and Megan, two women he meets and helps earlier in the canyon, when the ladies were lost. Megan and Kristi are the only other people in the world who know that Aron is in Blue John Canyon. His boss will only list him as missing, if Aron fails to turn up on Tuesday (three days away).
As time goes by Aron becomes more desperate and he starts to see flashbacks of his past (his family, his ex-girlfriend (whilst they were together, and when they split up) and of the party Megan and Kristi invited him to). Realising that he will not be able to see anyone in his flashbacks again if he doesn’t act fast, he prepares himself for the removal of his trapped arm. He initially breaks the bone by exerting pressure on his arm, then with his multi-tool he cuts through his arm on the break. The most disturbing moment is when he has to cut through his tendons, as the viewer sees he is in absolute agony. This scene is accompanied by a siren type of sound which heightens the effect. Eventually he’s free from the rock and stumbles out into the open. We see him slowly making his way down the path, retracing the steps he took a few days previously. The emotion of relief is replaced by happiness as he spots a family on the path, walking away from him, but still people. He shouts after them to catch their attention and they come to his aid.
Review:
I think the performance of James Franco is brilliant as he portrays his character very believably. The flashbacks Aron experienced whilst he was trapped, also adds to his desperation to escape. The fact that the story is based on real events also adds to the drama. This story has a happy ending, but one of sorrow and loss as well, as he has had to remove his lower arm in order to escape.
I think 127 Hours is a great film as it gets across the underlying message, that you cannot do everything on your own. Also another key learning is to tell people where you are going before you leave so someone always knows where you are.
The film editing is done expertly. The opening credits are very unusual as they feature a montage of crowds in a public place. I believe this is a superb film and would recommend it to most people – though possibly not to those who are squeamish.
Rating:
****
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