ENG 225: Introduction to Film
Prof. Aimee Garten
October 24, 2011
Film Critique: 127 Hours
The name Aron Ralston may not mean much to people, but the popular James Franco might to some movie buffs. It was Ralston 's 2003 tragic but survivable journey that inspired Director Danny Boyle, also famous for the 2008 box office blast Slumdog Millionaire to gain another smash hit in 2010 named 127 Hours. Franco portrays Ralston in Boyle 's Telluride Film Festival thriller that may only star one individual throughout most of the film, but Boyle 's ingenious way of guiding the audience through Ralston 's personal journey is both graphic and memorable. (Farber, S. 2010) Throughout this film, an unbelievable but true story is told through amazing acting, editing, sound, and all other components of cinematography while debating on what drastic measures he is going to have to use if he wants to save his own life.
Ralston’s story begins as continues in chronological order when he is on his lone expedition through canyons near Moab, Utah. (IMDb.com) Often going alone, and some may say being reckless searching for his adrenaline fix; canyoneering is something he was familiar with and never imagined himself fighting for his life. (Farber, S. 2010) Dislodging a boulder that wedged his hand and forearm in a deep canyon brings Aron to determine if he is going to escape and live or die there. He examines his life over the next 5 days (hence the title, he was trapped a total of 127 hours) reminiscing and drifting back thoughts, memories, and flashbacks of family, former lovers, and both old and new friends and even a premonition of an unborn son. While his body is continually shutting down, he makes a drastic decision: he wants to live. To do so, fighting aboth an internal and external conflict, amputating his arm is his only option out. Dehydrated and malnourished by now, he fulfills the bloody and gory act. Almost in disbelief, he looks at himself
References: Barkham, Patrick. 14 Dec 2010. The Guardian: The extraordinary story behind Danny Boyle’s 127 Hours. Retrieved 23 Oct 2011 from http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2010/dec/15/story-danny-boyles-127-hours Farber, Stephen. (14 Oct 2010) The Hollywood Reporter: 127 Hours – Film Review. Retrieved 10 Oct 2011 from http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/127-hours-movie-review Goodykoontz, B., & Jacobs, C. P. (2011). Film: From Watching to Seeing. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc. https://content.ashford.edu HuffPost Entertainment: James Franco : ‘127 Hours’ Cause Extreme Physical Pain. Retrieved 24 Oct 2011 from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/08/james-franco-127-hours- caused-extreme-physical-pain_n_820090.html IMDB.com: 127 Hours (28 Jan 2011) Retrieved 10 Oct 2011 from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1542344/