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The will of the human spirit. We often watch movies and see people on the news who overcome great obstacles and we are in awe of their strength and diligence to survive. It makes us search our own soul and wonder if we could do the same if faced with such trying circumstances. Most are familiar with Aron Ralston, the mountain climber who was trapped under a boulder while hiking alone in Utah. His struggle to free himself after days of being pinned in the rocks made the talk show circuit and the best selling book list. But to watch on the big screen is even more impactful and makes you admire his heroics even more. 127 Hours is a film that will have you on the edge of your seat and at times breathless as you watch Aron’s story unfold. 
 
Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire) wrote the screenplay for this film and directs it as well. He has a way of capturing the human dynamic whether in the crowded streets of Mumbai or in the solitude of a Midwest canyon. Here he has to rely on his main character (James Franco), plus the use of camera angles, and sound to draw the audience in. And all three work to perfection in this biographical thriller. Boyle puts you right in that crevice with Aron and you get a sense of the panic, claustrophobia and pain he must have endured. 
 
You might think that a film like this would be tedious with just one character and a small time frame but in actuality it is a riveting piece of work. Boyle takes advantage of the beauty of Utah to create a visually stunning backdrop. He also allows Franco to film some his own dialogue much like the real Aron did. This adds dimension and uniqueness to the overall project. Plus James does an award winning job. He conveys a wide range of emotion and brings a depth to his character. He has very little to feed off of and must rely on his delivery and acting skills in order to make the role work. Many will walk out with a new found respect for his talent. 
 
127 Hours is rated R for language and some disturbing violent content/bloody images. Boyle holds nothing back in conveying the situation and outcomes of this true life ordeal. Yet he handles it like he always does with sophistication and a focused perspective. This is an intense thriller and to dumb it down would be to lose the severity of the suffering. I give this outing 4 out of 5 tight spots. It is expert filmmaking and a true story that is heart pounding and at times unfathomable. It makes you truly wonder if you could do the same given the same circumstances. 
 
-Matt Mungle
 

 
Review copyright 2010 Mungleshow Productions. Used by Permission.