Choose life, Danny Boyle told us in Trainspotting. That seemed to be dripping in irony, but here, 14 years later, he really, really means it, directing one of the most inspiring tales of human endurance. To answer the obvious questions first, yes, its grueling, yes the crucial scene is agonising to watch, but believe it or not you will emerge from the cinema feeling more full of life and compassion than before you went in.
Its the true story of Aron Ralston, a super-fit, very smart twenty-something who loves the outdoors. One Friday he drives out to Utah to cycle and hike across a famous crack in the canyon. After a slight fall off his bike he meets a couple of fellow hikers, Kristi and Megan, and urges them to push themselves by following him through a dangerous path. He films the ensuing adventure on his video recorder (remarkably the actual one Ralston used). He then leaves the girls to their walk and carries on alone. A simple slip and half a second later, he falls down a ravine and has his right hand pinned by a 300lb rock.
| 127 Hours Trailer |
Astonishingly that is all handled in the pre-credit sequence, but tells us all we need to know about what is to come. Boyle uses every trick in the book to tell a story which, visually, should be limited after all, its the story of a man trapped in a dark ravine for 127 hours. However, as Ralstons food, then water, runs out, and he begins to dream, and hallucinate, the film constantly surprises in its storytelling. While the beauty of the landscape and the pulsating music engage the eyes and ears, its the insight into Ralstons struggle for life which engages the heart. While he is trapped he thinks about his life and relationships, especially his dumped girlfriend Rana (Poesy) and his adoring parents.
Slowly it emerges that Ralston is not the most likeable of chaps in fact he and Mark Zuckerberg from the Social Network should get together and form a club for anti-social dweebs but he learns the lesson which fate or nature seems to be teaching him. In one remarkable sequence he becomes a guest on his own breakfast TV show, suddenly realising he cannot live his life entirely on his own. Even a daily sighting of a raven gives him some hope.
| 127 Hours – Aron Falls Into Canyon Clip |
[SPOILER ALERT] As everyone now knows, Ralston escaped by cutting off his own arm, a sequence which certainly pulls no punches but is absolutely necessary in the context. Its also followed by two of the most remarkable words in any film you are likely to see this year, as Ralston makes his escape. [SPOILERS END]
James Franco has been chosen to host the Oscars this year, a very strange choice as he is almost certain to be nominated for Best Actor, and may even win. Its a remarkable performance, never going for the obvious sympathy, utterly convincing in communicating Ralstons anger, fear and in the end resignation of his fate. His face during the rescue scene at the end is of a man almost embarrassed rather than terrified. In the brief supporting cameos Poesy is eye-catching as the girlfriend whose memory keeps him going.
Overall verdict: Gritty but gripping and rewarding story of the human spirit, brilliantly brought alive by Boyles vision. Much like Slumdog Millionaire youll feel better for having seen it.
Reviewer: Mike Martin