“ROCK CLIMBING A SLIPPERY SLOPE”
Starring: James Franco, Amber Tamblyn, Kate Mara, and Lizzy Caplan
Directed by: Danny Boyle
MPAA Rating: R for language and some disturbing violent content/bloody images
Genre: Action/Adventure, Drama and Sports
Running Time: 1hr 34min
Release Date: November 5, 2010
Distributed by: Fox Searchlight Pictures
By John Delia
Gutsy and gripping true story 127 Hours takes the spunk out of boulder climbing.  It’s a ‘what would you do?’ film that shows how one man took radical measures to save his own life. The film is well acted by James Franco and directed by Oscar winner Danny Boyle.
The story takes place in the rocky hills of Utah where Aron Ralston (Franco) decides to hike on a very clear day. In a crevasse of a huge canyon in an isolated area, Ralston gets his arm trapped under a boulder. Not able to get free he hopes that other climbers may pass by and give help. After five days of loneliness and lack of water, Ralston decides to take desperate measures.
Although this is basically a one-man story, Director Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire) works magic showing his ability for suspense as he unravels the storyline bit by bit till its gut-wrenching ending. He makes James Franco his one-man centerpiece pulling out an amazing performance that made me shudder.
The Utah scenery is a big part of the film and cinematographers Enrique Chediak (28 Weeks Later) and Anthony Dod Mantle (Last King of Scotland) put on a great visual of the barren canyon wasteland with huge rocks and deep crevices that lead to deep drop-offs. Director Boyle gets some tight shots between massive boulders that adds to the danger and tension. Utah is a climber’s paradise, but as we learn from the film not one that should be ventured alone.
The film is rated R for language and some disturbing violent content/bloody images. 127 Hours is not for the squeamish.
FINAL ANALYSIS:Â A poignant true story that defies the odds. (3.5 of 5)