THE PLOT
This is the true story of Aron Ralston, a young adventurer always looking to push himself to extremes. Whilst canyoning in the Utah desert, Ralston becomes trapped, when his hand is wedged under a boulder following a fall down a crevasse. So begins 127 hours trapped with little supplies and no chance of rescue, leading to a desperate and squeamish conclusion to save himself.
THE REVIEW
Following up from Danny Boyle’s Oscar success with Slumdog Millionaire (2008) this latest storyline has the potential to be a misfire. To convey a tale that revolves around a single central character stuck down a hole for 5 days yet remain engaging is a visual challenge; a challenge Boyle meets in style.
Clever photography and editing, combined with the usual Boyle talent for picking a soundtrack, made this work. The film hinges on Franco’s portrayal of Ralston and Boyles storytelling, and both were on top form.
Not previously a particular Franco fan I thought his performance was first rate. Aron’s gradual decline as the days pass, his sometimes erratic behaviour, the visions and ultimately desperation are what you would expect of anyone surviving in such harsh conditions. And survive he does, intelligently rationing food and water, making use of anything ready to hand (pardon the pun) in an effort to save himself. For Franco to pull this off is a credit to his ability, for him to pull it off this well is truly impressive.
Boyle successfully manages to convey the passing of time in a relatively short film. This alone is note worthy and no mean feat, as it keeps the audience on the edge of their seats knowing that time is ultimately against him.
This is a simple plot that in less skilled hands could have so easily fizzed, but it works. Boyle and Franco bring humour to a dire situation, breaking the tension they perfectly create, only to continue a moment later to build the tension further still. I can’t believe many people would go into this film not knowing the inevitable outcome, but the nicely worked and positively squeamish ending will be a piece of cinema history that will prove hard to forget; all the more for the knowledge that this is a true story.
THE VERDICT
127 Hours is entertaining, compelling and unsettling all at once; a great piece of storytelling from Danny Boyle that few others could envision, let alone deliver. James Franco puts in what could become a career defining turn that hinges on his performance.
TC
Director: Danny Boyle
Writers: Danny Boyle and Simon Beaufoy (screenplay), Aron Ralston (book "Between a Rock and a Hard Place")
Stars: James Franco, Kate Mara, Amber Tamblyn, Treat Williams and Clémence Poésy
Running Time: 94 Mins
UK Release Date: 7th January 2011This is the true story of Aron Ralston, a young adventurer always looking to push himself to extremes. Whilst canyoning in the Utah desert, Ralston becomes trapped, when his hand is wedged under a boulder following a fall down a crevasse. So begins 127 hours trapped with little supplies and no chance of rescue, leading to a desperate and squeamish conclusion to save himself.
THE REVIEW
Following up from Danny Boyle’s Oscar success with Slumdog Millionaire (2008) this latest storyline has the potential to be a misfire. To convey a tale that revolves around a single central character stuck down a hole for 5 days yet remain engaging is a visual challenge; a challenge Boyle meets in style.
Clever photography and editing, combined with the usual Boyle talent for picking a soundtrack, made this work. The film hinges on Franco’s portrayal of Ralston and Boyles storytelling, and both were on top form.
Not previously a particular Franco fan I thought his performance was first rate. Aron’s gradual decline as the days pass, his sometimes erratic behaviour, the visions and ultimately desperation are what you would expect of anyone surviving in such harsh conditions. And survive he does, intelligently rationing food and water, making use of anything ready to hand (pardon the pun) in an effort to save himself. For Franco to pull this off is a credit to his ability, for him to pull it off this well is truly impressive.
Boyle successfully manages to convey the passing of time in a relatively short film. This alone is note worthy and no mean feat, as it keeps the audience on the edge of their seats knowing that time is ultimately against him.
This is a simple plot that in less skilled hands could have so easily fizzed, but it works. Boyle and Franco bring humour to a dire situation, breaking the tension they perfectly create, only to continue a moment later to build the tension further still. I can’t believe many people would go into this film not knowing the inevitable outcome, but the nicely worked and positively squeamish ending will be a piece of cinema history that will prove hard to forget; all the more for the knowledge that this is a true story.
THE VERDICT
127 Hours is entertaining, compelling and unsettling all at once; a great piece of storytelling from Danny Boyle that few others could envision, let alone deliver. James Franco puts in what could become a career defining turn that hinges on his performance.
TC
Director: Danny Boyle
Writers: Danny Boyle and Simon Beaufoy (screenplay), Aron Ralston (book "Between a Rock and a Hard Place")
Stars: James Franco, Kate Mara, Amber Tamblyn, Treat Williams and Clémence Poésy
Running Time: 94 Mins
AWARDS
Golden Globe Nominee - Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama: James Franco
Golden Globe Nominee - Best Screenplay - Motion Picture: Danny Boyle, Simon Beaufoy
Golden Globe Nominee - Best Original Score - Motion Picture: A.R. Rahman
BAFTA Nominee - Outstanding British Film: 127 Hours
BAFTA Nominee - Director: Danny Boyle for 127 Hours
BAFTA Nominee - Adapted Screenplay: 127 Hours: Danny Boyle, Simon Beaufoy
BAFTA Nominee - Leading Actor: James Franco for 127 Hours
BAFTA Nominee - Original Music: 127 Hours: Ar Rahman
BAFTA Nominee - Cinematography: 127 Hours: Anthony Dod Mantle, Enrique Chediak
BAFTA Nominee - Editing: 127 Hours: Jon Harris
BAFTA Nominee - Sound: 127 Hours: Glenn Freemantle, Ian Tapp, Richard Pryke, Steven C Laneri, Douglas Cameron
Academy Award Nominee - Best Picture: Christian Colson, Danny Boyle and John Smithson, Producers
Academy Award Nominee - Actor in a Leading Role: James Franco
Academy Award Nominee - Film Editing: Jon Harris
Academy Award Nominee - Music (Original Score): A.R. Rahman
Academy Award Nominee - Music (Original Song): If I Rise - Music by A.R. Rahman Lyric by Dido and Rollo Armstrong
Academy Award Nominee - Writing (Adapted Screenplay): Screenplay by Danny Boyle and Simon Beaufoy
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