Review: 127 Hours (2010)

Danny Boyle's 127 Hours depicts the devastating six and a half days spent by Aron Ralston trapped between a rock and a hard place. In this true story of man vs. nature, outdoor enthusiast Aron Ralston (James Franco) departs to the mountains of Moab, Utah for a weekend of canyoneering alone. Initially, things are adventurous as he meets a couple of young ladies climbing nearby. After introducing them to the fun that can be had at his outdoor second home, he parts ways and continues his journey the way he likes it- alone. Here lies the problem, as he has plummeted into an inescapable position with his arm trapped beneath an anchored rock. As the hours turn into days without progress, and the milliliters of water become closer to nonexistent, Aron wishes more and more that he had informed someone of his weekend plans. Bringing us such films as Trainspotting, Slumdog Millionaire, and 28 Days Later, director Danny Boyle has proven himself an effective storyteller- 127 Hours only reassures us of this ability. The film captures its audience with amazing photography, cinematography, casting, and music. The claustrophobia administered to the viewer by day three of Aron's struggle is eased with sporadic flashbacks, daydreams, and hallucinations strategically placed by Boyle. One-man shows such as this are either a disaster of a display or a masterpiece, and Franco delivers the latter with a convincing portrayal of desperation and hope. The first step into the sunlight in the final minutes of the film are as much a breath of fresh air for the audience as it is for the film's protagonist. It's moments like these in cinema that if done right, not only make up for the leading hour and twenty minutes of struggle, but depend on that conflict to make the grass greener on the other side. Thanks to a compelling survival story provided by Ralston, top-notch direction by Boyle, and a stand up performance by Franco, 127 Hours is a success- scoring 3 1/2 stars.