“127 Hours” takes the
viewer on a harrowing journey
of survival and determination.
Based on the true story of
Aron Ralston, a mountain
climber who was hiking in
Utah when he slipped into a
crevasse and had his hand
and forearm pinned under a
boulder. For over five days
(hence the film’s title, “127
Hours”) Ralston survived
while trying to somehow
dislodge his trapped right
arm and escape.
After the numerous days
trapped under the boulder
(and fighting dehydration
and delirium) the hiker took
drastic measures and made
a decision that would affect
his entire life: Ralston broke
his arm in two places in
order to then cut off his
trapped arm using a dull
pocketknife. Managing to
escape and find a family
hiking through the area,
Ralston survived (losing his
arm) and serves as the basis
for the accurate film representation
of his ordeal.
“127 Hours” casts the talented
James Franco to play
Aron Ralston. Franco has
acted in a wide range of
films including all three
“Spiderman” films,
” P i n e a p p l e
Express”, and
“Milk”. The actor
impeccably captures
the emotional
tension, despair,
and ultimately
inspiring final
scenes of the film.
The film is directed
by English filmmaker
Danny
Boyle. Boyle does a
great job interpreting
Ralston’s story
and adds his own
filmic style and
flair that audiences
have come to recognize
his work by. Boyle also
directed “Trainspotting”,
“28 Days Later” and
“Slumdog Millionaire”.
The film is notable for its
cinematography, stylized
sequencing, and gracious
use of music (similar to
many of Boyles other
works). While watching
“127 Hours” the audience
feels a very close connection
to Franco (Ralston) and his
dilemma. Amazing shots of
the very last drop of water
entering his mouth, a lone
ray of sunlight hitting the
trapped climbers body, and
visual memories of
Ralston’s childhood help
the viewer to understand
and comprehend an incomprehensible
event.
“127 Hours” accurately
depicts Ralston’s experience
down to the last detail
(Franco wears the same blue
Arc’teryx brand baseball
cap that Aron Ralston wore
throughout the event). The
course of events that play
out during the movie, from
the opening sequence
where Franco is packing for
his fateful trip to the miraculous
resolution, are very
true to the actual events that
transpired.
The film has received
attention due to the reactions
it caused in the audience
during the first screenings
at the Telluride
Film Festival and the
Toronto International
Film Festival. One audience
member experienced
severe lightheadedness
and was taken
out of the screening on a
gurney. Another audience
member suffered a
panic attack and
required medical attention.
These experiences
were due in part to the
film’s climax, the scene
where Franco graphically
amputates his arm in
order to save his life.
“127 Hours” is a cinematic
experience that
shows the human struggle
innate in every person. The
movie is a superbly acted
and cinematically visceral
experience that offers feelings
of perseverance and
inspiration.