Danny Boyle is becoming increasingly annoying at making good celluloid. Older movies of his like, 28 Days Later and Sunshine don’t give any indication to how good a director he is. From that platform anyone could be unsure he would be the kind of director to look out for. In not getting a chance yet to view Slumdog Millionaire which is supposed to be quite good, watching 127 Hours was a decision made purely on a need to see whether the lead character escapes his dilemma, and how. It’s easy to like what is happening on-screen during the initial 30 minutes.
Boyle’s Visuals are on Point
From the first few scenes it was easy to get hooked with all the visuals. Boyle has a way of using simple shots and what would seem like throw-away sequences and uses them to great effect.
Viewers get to really understand the nature of the lead character Aaron Ralston played by James Franco as they follow him into Canyonlands National Park in Utah. This journey is one he made without telling anyone where he was going. In not leaving any hint to where he would be, when he does get into the bind that is the movies essence, there's absolutely no one that can save him but himself.
When Leaving the House, Leave a Note
The film is based on Ralston’s autobiography which goes into graphic detail regarding the 127 hours he spent trapped, the two female hikers he met before his unfortunate accident, and his life changing decision; made on reaching a point in his mind that staying put meant certain death!
Boyle manages to capture a great deal of that reality on film as well as some of Ralston’s thoughts during the five days he spent unable to set himself free. Some of the transcendent scenes where Ralston goes away in his mind and retrieves some of the happier moments in his life feel a little overdone and sometimes unnecessary but they do make for a welcome break from the position of watching this significantly bad incident play out.
Ralston’s regret at not leaving any indication of his whereabouts is conveyed well by Franco.
James Franco is Excellent
Franco is great as the adventurer with no fear, a lively spirit, and a good helping of charisma. The scene where he realises and accepts his fate is one of the memorable moments and he thoroughly earns any award nominations for his part in this reworking of a real-life ordeal.
Boyle plays with the idea of a supporting cast but doesn't really make any of them feature greatly. We're given only the aspects of other characters through flashbacks Franco has of past events and ultimately his realisation for how he ended up in the position he's in.
127 Hours is a definite ‘must see’ movie that will entertain and shock as well as create many a new Franco and Boyle fan.
Worth its several award nominations, it’ll be interesting to see which ones it takes away.
- 127 Hours
- Starring: James Franco
- Directed by: Danny Boyle
- Running time: 94 minutes
Stefan Jeffrey - Stefan Jeffrey is a Goldsmiths University graduate. His area of study was Community and Youth-work of which he has actively worked in for ...
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