127 Hours

It is difficult to write about this movie because Aron Ralston’s story truly speaks for itself. The plot of the movie, based on the true story, allows for a rare correct usage of the word unbelievable. The film has many attributes other than an enthralling story as well. Acclaimed director of Slumdog Millionaire Danny Boyle, gives his audience more than just a man’s account; he delivers a film. The movie must be brief because it mostly takes in one setting with one character. Boyle therefore uses his film time quite wisely. In the early stage of the movie he develops Aron Ralston (James Franco) as a personality and allows the audience to form a relationship with light-hearted, adventurer. He then abruptly goes to the meat of the film, when Aron’s right arm gets trapped in canyon-land between a boulder and a wall. The remainder of the movie is spent between Aron, his thoughts, and the audience; all in one sliver of earth. James Franco puts on his best performance as he portrays a man willing to do anything to escape his quagmire. Franco was perfect in every aspect; comedic yet deep. Boyle takes us, vicariously through Aron, as close as anyone can get to death and still tell about it. Boyle puts in a number of delusions that seem a little over the top, but when someone is that helpless anything is possible. I was a little too squeamish to watch the climactic scene where Aron amputates his own arm in full detail. Boyle got the job done using visual and auditory techniques to portray Aron’s chaotic state of pain. Boyle and Franco gave a little extra to a story that didn’t even need any.