Jan 12, 2011 06:59 PM
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(Updated Jan 12, 2011 07:38 PM)
Danny Boyle’s ‘127 Hours’ is the story of real life ‘canyoneer’ and adrenaline junkie Aron Ralston who finds himself trapped at the Blue John Canyon in Utah, when his right hand gets wedged by a fallen boulder in the isolated canyon.
He eventually manages to survive the ordeal by cutting his right hand off with a penknife and then walking 6 miles before being rescued. As gory and intense this may sound, 127 Hours is ultimately an uplifting and life affirming film.
Boyle doesn't go overboard with his message but rather uses a series of flashbacks to reveal more about Aron and his life and relationships.
The movie starts with a trippy score(Never ride the surf again by Free Blood) where we see Aron setting off on his doomed adventure.
Confident and carefree he leaves the hustles and bustles of the city behind to explore the Blue John canyon without letting his friends or family know of his whereabouts.
Once trapped in the canyon, left with very little food and water, he realises how he had never truly acknowledged the people who genuinely cared for him, while he was too busy trying to get away from them.
For a movie that shows its protagonist trapped in a confined space for the majority of its running time and very few dialogues, 127 Hours is surprisingly dynamic, vibrant and keeps you at the edge of your seat.
The background score by AR Rahman is splendid and hits the right emotions, while the cinematography (Anthony Dod Mantle - who won an Oscar for Slumdog Millionaire and Enrique Chediak ) and direction makes the film worth a second viewing.
The movie is complete with trademark ‘Danny Boyleness’ with zany camera angles and an eclectic background score.
James Franco delivers one of the best performances of his career and will see a few awards coming his way as he brings the confusion, anguish and pain of a young man finally coming to terms with his fate with utter conviction.
The scenes where he films himself on a video camera as a cocky chat how host and a shy guest is a testament to his acting abilities.
Danny Boyle, not one to slack after the success of Slumdog Millionaire(which was NOT one my favourites last year), has made one of the finest films of the decade(In my opinion this one ranks above Trainspotting). The movie ends with a montage dedicated to the real Aron Ralston and his family.
If you have any heart you will leave the cinema with a wet hanky( Darn! I was in tears even on a second viewing!) Don’t miss this, this movie might just make you a better person for watching it.
Some Trivia about the movie:
Most of the film was shot on location in Utah.
James Franco had his forearm stuck on a rock on the set while Danny Boyle left the camera rolling filming his reaction. James Franco suffered brusing following this scene.
Most of the film was shot in SI-2K digital camera which was earlier used in filming Slumdog millionaire.
The split screen scenes were shot using different cameras and the cinematographers had to work hard to make the scene look seamless.
The shooting was completed between February and March in 2010.
The score Acid Darbari is based on the Darbari Raaga.
The camera used by James Franco in the movie was the actual camera used by Aron Ralston during his ordeal.
