Sandy
This is the true story of Aron Ralston, a twenty-something, arrogant, super active, adrenaline junkie who sets out in 2003 on a days hike through Blue John Canyon in Utah and ends up leaving the canyon 6 days later and without a forearm. Aron is an extremely independent, quite cocky guy who has a lust for life and living on the edge. He's capable of getting himself out of most scrapes and so perhaps isn't as cautious as he should be. His lack of caution means he knows all the best spots via the trickiest routes. He meets some girls while hiking and decides to guide them through some of the more spectacular sights using his special shortcuts. The girls are delighted with this attractive man that has so much going for him. Aron films their encounter using his array of gadgets for documenting his adventures - from still camera to video to a head mounted device for high action. Eventually he leaves the girls and gets on with his solo hike, but it's not long before he gets into trouble - a boulder traps his arms within a canyon crevice and despite his best efforts he's unable to free himself. He's stuck. There's no easy way to say it, but it's worth warning audiences that he cuts his arm off to escape the canyon. It's small part in the entire film and easily missed by turning your head for a few seconds, but apparently some audiences have needed medical attention after the scene because they were so distressed. I hope this doesn't turn audiences away from this excellent film that deserves to be seen by all. It is essential audiences stay to the end too as the biggest impact of the film happens at the end. 127 Hours is directed by Danny Boyle of Slumdog Millionaire and Trainspotting fame. This movie is very much his baby using techniques seen in his previous films. He's also used his Slumdog team to great success - the Oscar winning screenwriter Simon Beaufoy and Composer A.R. Rahman. Aron Ralston is played by James Franco - and he's such an interesting actor. Part leading man, part character actor, he's just perfect for this role (although apparently the director's first choice was Cillian Murphy). James Franco is probably best known for the Spiderman trilogy, but I'll always remember his part in Milk. He's multi-skilled too with a bunch of producing and directing credits to his name. His performance here is Oscar Nominated and definitely Oscar worthy. There is no denying the power of this being a true story. Aron Ralston co-wrote the screenplay and has said the film is as close to the truth as possible while still being a drama. We catch up on his life at the closing credits. 127 Hours is just amazing. Well worth the cost of a ticket with the best ending for a film I've seen in ages. It doesn't matter if you know the story. This film will stay with you long after it's done.
Posted in: Entertainment
