127 Hours

It’s always difficult to film something based on a true story. Films always tend to dramatize events and heroes become totally convoluted in the light of the events. You know how it will end, so there’s no crazy twist in there. Besides, very often “based on a true story” tag is usually a commercial move to improve overall attraction of the masses to given motion picture.

This is not the case with “127 Hours”. As far as the story goes, it is pretty much a true story, just converted to the blue screen. In fact, as far as I know, its much closer to documentary than to a fiction. And yet, story feels really fictitious. I mean, what are the odds of this thing happening? But these stuff did really happen. And that what makes this film so interesting.

Aron Ralston (James Franco) is hardass mountain climber. You know the kind that doesn’t give a crap about anything. He thinks he is tough, he doesn’t need anything or anyone. And all he can think about is to find a shortcut to local guidebook hiking route. He likes creating artificial challenges and obstacles on his way, so that he can overcome them. He is a complete loner. And that’s why he takes off for Utah canyons without telling anyone where he is going. But this time, life has prepared a hard lesson for him. On his hike route he slips and his right hand gets trapped under a big boulder. There’s no way he can get his hand out, all he has is a dull pocket knife and a bottle of water. No one can hear him, no one will look for him. He knows how this story will end. He knows what he needs to do. And he will have 127 hours to get to that point.

The director of the film is Danny Boyle, you might know him as a man behind “Slumdog Millionaire”. The film puts a very unique challenge for the director and the crew. 90% of the time we spent in the small canyon with claustraphobically close walls and with a soft crack of sky on top. Its very difficult to keep consistency and limitation of camera angles that can be positively used – these are the technical aspects that laid in front of Danny Boyle. He solves this problem brilliantly – extremely wide lenses. Probably the one of the best usage of wide lenses in movies since Terry Gilliam‘s “Brazil“. Cinematography and editing look equally awesome (I can not find any other word to describe this).

James Franco delivers a solid performance showing all the levels of state of mind of Aron Ralston, during his stay in the canyon.

I enjoyed the film. And although you know how it will end, you still keep your eyes on the screen. Its definitely an incredible story done very professionally.

8/10

PS: Special nod goes to opening credits. Nicely done.