Not for the Squimish

Filmmaker Danny Boyle is a risk taker. Some have worked ("Trainspotting," "Millions"), others have failed ("A Life Less Ordinary," "The Beach"), but he's remained a captivating, intrepid presence on the movie scene. "127 Hours" is perhaps his most astonishing work to date, bringing to the screen the staggeringly nightmarish true story of Aron Ralston, who found himself literally between a rock and a hard place as he fought for his life in the wilds of Utah for just over five days. Boyle uses all of his skill to make a compelling film out of this one man show. 


While "Slumdog Millionaire" was a romanticized depiction of fate, "127 Hours" brings Boyle back to Earth. This is a harrowing story of endurance, with a full commitment made to Aron's most primal urges and thoughts during his near-weeklong ordeal. Fearlessly, Boyle plunges into the mix, providing a scattered, intimate view of the situation. Boyle splashes the screen with visual flair, and the majority of the film creates a visceral, insightful experience, putting the viewer inside the claustrophobic head of a man who cannot move, trapped in a desolate place. Sustaining despair is not an option here, and Boyle keeps the film to a upbeat tempo through bold cinematographic choices and a series of jubilant soundtrack cuts. 

It might be hard to imagine how a script with such limited scope could remain interesting for more than 90 minutes, but trust that these talented people have figured out how to do it. Fair warning, though there are scenes that are not for the squeamish but the film is never gratuitous or exploitative, but it does feel very real. The fact that you grow to like Aron (thanks to James Franco's stupendous performance) means that the physical anguish has tremendous emotional impact. "127 Hours" is a genuine must-see.