127 Hours Review

 There are spoilers in this review, but you have to highlight text to read them. RSS Feed readers, beware.

PLOT: A mountain climber becomes trapped under a boulder while canyoneering alone near Moab, Utah and resorts to desperate measures in order to survive.


THE GOOD: Theme. The thing I found most impressive about 127 Hours was the overall theme. Highlight to read spoilers: The film starts out with lots of shots of large groups of people. Marathon runners, stadiums, busy downtown sidewalks, people praying in mosques, etc. Then we meet Aron Ralston (played by James Franco). Cocky, full of himself, cavalier, and independent. Through flashbacks, we see that he's been pushing people away recently. His girlfriend, his mom, his sister. Even himself. After getting stuck, he quickly realizes that he has neglected to tell anyone where he was going that day. He recognizes the fact that he's alone. As you hopefully know by now, Ralston escapes in a moment of sheer intensity. I have never felt more tense while watching a movie in a theatre since The Hurt Locker, and even this surpasses that. By the end of that horrific scene, I was literally sweating. I felt beads of sweat dripping down my back, which is odd because for most of the movie I was actually a bit chilly. However, there was another scene that was even better than that one. It's the moment when he's wandering around and stumbles upon a family hiking away from him. He gathers up the energy to yell "I need help!" The family of three turn around while he continues to scream "I need help!" Much more powerful. At the very end, the real Aron Ralston is surrounded by his friends and family. Touching and beautiful. Was hoping for another Bollywood dance, but I guess it wasn't very appropriate.

Danny Boyle. What can I say? Alright, I can say a lot. The man is bloody brilliant. He is one of my top five favorite directors. Possibly even top three! Not only did Boyle have a true vision for this movie, but he also wrote the original script for the film. Simon Beaufoy, who wrote the screenplay for Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire, also brought in his input and together have made a wonderful adapted script. Danny Boyle was at the screening that I went to in Seattle and he mentioned in his Q&A that this movie would not have been possible if it weren't for Slumdog Millionaire. Slumdog won him the trust of Fox Searchlight (despite their need to slowly release the film to a wider audience) and it makes sense. Really like where he placed the opening title of the movie. Look for that. 127 Hours is one of Boyle's better films.

James Franco. If Franco is not nominated for an Oscar for this role, it would be a tragedy. I cannot say I've ever been a big fan of his, but there are elements of the actor that I like. The biggest thing being this. In all seriousness though, Franco goes through a whirlwind of emotions for his character. On par with Ryan Reynolds in Buried, Sam Rockwell in Moon, and Sharlto Copley in District 9.

Editing. Danny Boyle seems to enjoying switching up his editors every few movies, and for 127 Hours, he chose film editor Jon Harris. When you watch 127 Hours and look at one of Harris' previous films, you see why. Harris was also the editor for Guy Ritchie's Snatch and I would bet you one hundred dollars that when Boyle sat down with Harris to talk about the project, he brought up the style used in that film. Lots of split screen, lots of quick shots, lots of nice transitions.

Cinematography. I was really curious to see two cinematographers listed in the opening credits. Not a new concept by any means, but I wish I could have asked Mr. Boyle why he chose two. One of the names is one that I am very familiar with, while the other, not as much. DOP Anthony Dod Mantle has worked with Boyle on many projects, including the film that earned him an Academy Award, last year's Slumdog Millionaire. The man is one of the best cinematographers we have right now. He has this amazing ability to make you feel like you are actually there and that really means a lot when 75% of 127 Hours takes place in a crevasse. The other cinematographer that Boyle used was Enrique Chediak. Chediak has worked on plenty of films, but nothing that's really garnered much attention so far. Movies like The Faculty, Boiler Room, and this year's Repo Men. The connection between Chediak and Boyle lies within 28 Weeks Later, the sequel to Danny Boyle's 28 Days Later. Boyle did not direct the second film, but he did produce. So, he must have seen something that Chediak did that he wanted in 127 Hours. Mantle and Chediak were given equal weight on the film. Meaning, they both were behind the camera throughout the entire thing. No, Unit #1 or Unit #2 here; it was a Unit Red and a Unit Blue. So, why have two DPs? Here are my guesses:
1) It's my understanding that the movie needed to be shot in a tight schedule. Not as much time to line up shots, so having two DPs doubles the time to film.
2) Mantle and Chediak are obviously two very different cinematographers and Boyle may have wanted their styles to clash to add an effect to the film.
3) I imagine that it could be pretty difficult coming up with creative shots in a single area in a small canyon. Two DPs brings constant efficiency and fresh concepts.
Look at Buried, which was filmed in a box. Cinematographer Eduard Grau chose to get creative by adding close-up shots of things. Mantle and Chediak do the same thing at times, but also create some other eye-pleasing moments. They use the scenery and the set to their advantages. The camera is constantly moving. Cinematography work like this can't be very easy and they deserve recognition for that. Oh, and the shot from above of one of the girls falling into the underground pool is even more beautiful on the big screen as it is in the trailer.

The scene. More spoilers that you can read when you highlight: Alright, so Aron cuts his arm off. Even though I knew what was coming, I still cringed. The whole scene is done so well. Especially the audio. There's this sound that plays every time he hits his nerves. It's like a buzzing sound that is excruciating to hear and so you feel the pain exactly when Aron feels the pain. It really adds to the effectiveness of the scene. Let's face it, no one is going to come out of the theatre talking about the important lesson that Ralston learned on family and community. They will be talking about this scene and how difficult it was to watch. When a scene makes you feel that way, it is a success.

Scooby Doo. Best part of the whole movie.


THE BAD: Nothing.

THE END: I enjoyed this film a lot. Easily one of the best films of 2010. I was reminded of the movie Buried, which I also enjoyed seeing last month. Both are about men alone with a desperate will to escape. While Buried certainly deserves its own recognition, I have to say that I enjoyed 127 Hours a lot more. Maybe it's because it's based on fact. Maybe it's because of how it ends. Maybe it's the differences in film-making. Either way, 127 Hours is an experience that must be witnessed in theatres. Preferably in a crowded theatre so you can watch everyone else's reactions.


DISCUSS: What did you think of 127 Hours? Have you been looking forward to this movie? What is your favorite Danny Boyle movie? Have you read Aron Ralston's book, "Between a Rock and a Hard Place"? Would you be able to do what Ralston did if you were in that situation?