|
|
The drama 127 Hours is directed by Danny Boyle and starring James Franco, Kate Mara, and Amber Tamblyn. The film takes place in 2003 in Moab, Utah.
Aron Ralston (Franco) is a mountain climber who decides to go to the place in Moab, Utah where he has the whole course memorized for his daily thrill. While bike riding, walking, and running around he meets up with two girls Kristi (Mara) and Megan (Tamblyn) and for a short while the three of them go climbing and swimming and all that crazy stuff. Well after the girls leave he gets himself into quite a predicament. While jumping onto a branch he slips and knocks a rock down which crushes his right arm. Oops. The rest of the film is about hallucinations he is having and flashbacks to his family and an old girlfriend. That's why I don't mountain climb, I just write film reviews so I can't my arm crushed.
The screenplay by Simon Beaufoy and Danny Boyle was pretty good. This film could have been equally torturous for the viewer as it was for Aron Ralston but it didn't really drag on for the full length of the film, it flowed nicely. The problem with a true story is that the second you go in there you know how it's going to end so the whole time I was like none of this matters I know what's going to happen. I did not see the need to put the flashbacks of his girlfriend in there because it never led up to anything, it didn't even really help with characterization it just showed that Ralston once had a girlfriend but now he's trapped in a canyon. The dialogue for the whole of the film was very believable, usually when one person is talking to themselves it doesn't work out very well but here it works very nicely.
Danny Boyle had some pretty stylized direction on this one, and it helped keep the film entertaining throughout. Is this film as good as his previous, Slumdog Millionaire? No. Personally I believe Boyle's best film to be Trainspotting which also had a lot of style and I think Boyle is much more comfortable with stylistic films than something which cannot have a stylistic influence upon it. I like how Boyle does films in multiple genres: Slumdog Millionaire-fantasy, Trainspotting-crime, 28 Days Later-horror, Sunshine-science fiction, and 127 Hours-real life drama. All of Boyles directing decisions I think were fine with this film, the only reason I couldn't give it a higher score is because the story is very limited to a guy trapped in a rock and he couldn't really put in any crazy mind games to add another layer of interest.
James Franco easily gave the best performance of his career so far and it would be shocking if he did not receive an Oscar nomination for Best Actor at this year's Academy Awards. Will he win it? I highly doubt it. In the film Aron Ralston is fun, carefree kind of guy who climbs mountains to just to have a good time. When he gets trapped he starts to lose hope and his mind a bit. The part where Franco delivers his best in the film is when he is pretending to interview himself because it just shows how low he has gotten. This is the first time Franco has ever really been in a lead role, I know him mostly for his supporting roles in Spiderman and Pineapple Express, but as a lead man he is very impressive and has a bright career in front of him.
The only real supporting cast in this film was Kate Mara and Amber Tamblyn as the two girls Ralston meets before he gets trapped. Both girls did a fine job but nothing really noteworthy. They were basically just average girls who are just following a path for fun. There wasn't really enough acting in the flashbacks to criticize but none of them were bad enough to notice.
Overall I give this film a 7/10, the only reason I couldn't give it higher was because the script was very limiting and I already knew how it would end since it is a famous story. If you like films like Into the Wild or other man vs. nature type films then you would like this one as well. Franco and Boyle both have very bright careers for the future even though they both had very successful careers before this Franco will make his way as a leading man and Boyle will still be one of the best directors of today.
|
Jhon E. on 12/11/10 at 05:22 AM
well of course we know he survives, but really to see what he does is the thing, not wether he survives or not, like Touching the Void, we know they live, buts its how they live
1 Replies | Report Abuse
Jeffrey C. on 12/11/10 at 05:35 AM
Yes, but he doesn't really do much during when he is crushed except have flashbacks and drink pee.
0 Replies | Report Abuse
ap sirius on 12/11/10 at 06:31 AM
All he does is drink and pee ?...sounds like the story of my life....good review Jeff
1 Replies | Report Abuse
Jeffrey C. on 12/11/10 at 06:56 AM
Haha, Thanks.
0 Replies | Report Abuse
miguelsreviews.webs.com on 12/11/10 at 06:56 AM
Good review
1 Replies | Report Abuse
Jeffrey C. on 12/11/10 at 07:08 AM
Thanks
0 Replies | Report Abuse
wxdeadpoolmwam on 12/11/10 at 07:02 AM
Nice review. I'd rate it higher but I ighly agree with your comments on Franco's performance.
1 Replies | Report Abuse
Jeffrey C. on 12/11/10 at 07:08 AM
Thanks, I was pretty close to giving it an 8
0 Replies | Report Abuse
Grant L. on 12/11/10 at 08:13 AM
Heard great things about it. Wish it was playing in my town. Great review
1 Replies | Report Abuse
Jeffrey C. on 12/11/10 at 08:24 AM
Thanks, I had to travel quite the distance to see it.
0 Replies | Report Abuse
CACB on 12/11/10 at 08:54 AM
Great review. I really want to see this...
1 Replies | Report Abuse
Jeffrey C. on 12/11/10 at 12:12 PM
Thanks, hope you like it.
0 Replies | Report Abuse
Wolfman 101 on 12/11/10 at 09:07 AM
Good review.
1 Replies | Report Abuse
Jeffrey C. on 12/11/10 at 12:12 PM
Thanks.
0 Replies | Report Abuse
Pandy357 on 12/11/10 at 09:08 AM
I have to see it for myself, but interesting points & review ;)
1 Replies | Report Abuse
Jeffrey C. on 12/11/10 at 12:13 PM
Thanks!
0 Replies | Report Abuse
american psycho on 12/11/10 at 09:58 AM
Graet review! I have to rent this one when it comes out on DVD/Bluray.
1 Replies | Report Abuse
Jeffrey C. on 12/11/10 at 12:13 PM
Thanks!
0 Replies | Report Abuse
Alex l. on 12/11/10 at 11:01 AM
Great Review!
1 Replies | Report Abuse
Jeffrey C. on 12/11/10 at 12:13 PM
Thanks!
0 Replies | Report Abuse
Joseph S. on 12/11/10 at 11:38 AM
Nice review! This was a great film for me!
1 Replies | Report Abuse
Jeffrey C. on 12/11/10 at 12:13 PM
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it so much!
0 Replies | Report Abuse
Michael C. on 12/11/10 at 11:43 AM
Nice read
1 Replies | Report Abuse
Jeffrey C. on 12/11/10 at 12:13 PM
Thanks
0 Replies | Report Abuse
SteveTellsItHowHeSeesIt on 12/11/10 at 03:45 PM
Great review, i really wanna see this
1 Replies | Report Abuse
Jeffrey C. on 12/11/10 at 10:00 PM
Thanks
0 Replies | Report Abuse
Erik P. on 12/11/10 at 04:22 PM
i think its all about his will to survive and how he goes from certain death to a heroic individual. nice review this film was good
1 Replies | Report Abuse
Jeffrey C. on 12/11/10 at 10:01 PM
Thanks
0 Replies | Report Abuse
simon m. on 12/11/10 at 07:25 PM
I agree with much of what you said. It isn't as good as some are saying. Trainspotting is his best movie...agreed. Excellent review.
1 Replies | Report Abuse
Jeffrey C. on 12/11/10 at 10:01 PM
Thanks.
0 Replies | Report Abuse
Brantastic16 on 12/11/10 at 10:59 PM
Great review. I still haven't seen it yet. :(
1 Replies | Report Abuse
Jeffrey C. on 12/12/10 at 05:59 AM
Thanks, you better get to it.
0 Replies | Report Abuse
David P. on 12/12/10 at 03:46 AM
Great review, I'll see this when it comes out on DVD/Blu-ray, it's also not out in the cinema in the UK yet.
1 Replies | Report Abuse
Jeffrey C. on 12/12/10 at 05:59 AM
Thanks.
0 Replies | Report Abuse
Lord Naseby on 12/12/10 at 01:06 PM
Great review! Interesting, this is the lowest score I have seen for this one.
1 Replies | Report Abuse
Jeffrey C. on 12/12/10 at 01:24 PM
Thanks! You should see it then if it is so highly rated.
0 Replies | Report Abuse
HERESSSSSSJOHNNY on 12/12/10 at 01:45 PM
Excellent review, want to see this very badly...
1 Replies | Report Abuse
Jeffrey C. on 12/12/10 at 04:43 PM
Thanks!
0 Replies | Report Abuse
leeloo1967 on 12/12/10 at 05:00 PM
Fantastic review Jeff:)! ~This film is a definite must-see~
1 Replies | Report Abuse
Jeffrey C. on 12/12/10 at 05:53 PM
Thanks!
0 Replies | Report Abuse
Parker M. on 12/12/10 at 08:36 PM
i don't think the point of the film is predicting whether he gets out. it's that exhiliration that he will escape and his ability to overcome all that strife is only best personified by boyle's camera. great movie. good review.
1 Replies | Report Abuse
Jeffrey C. on 12/13/10 at 12:35 PM
Thanks, I understand that it is about the journey, but still the journey was also predictable.
0 Replies | Report Abuse
Zach Johnson - MM5000 on 12/13/10 at 03:32 AM
I still want to see it...despite 70%
1 Replies | Report Abuse
Jeffrey C. on 12/13/10 at 12:35 PM
70% means it's good, just not great.
0 Replies | Report Abuse
Professional Opinion on 12/13/10 at 06:07 AM
Nice review, I want to see on DVD.
1 Replies | Report Abuse
Jeffrey C. on 12/13/10 at 12:35 PM
Thanks.
0 Replies | Report Abuse
Blitzkrieg on 12/13/10 at 10:54 AM
Very nice review! I liked Into The Wild very much and I'm hoping this one will have the same effect on me.
1 Replies | Report Abuse
Jeffrey C. on 12/13/10 at 12:35 PM
Thanks, I think I like Into the Wild more than this.
0 Replies | Report Abuse
Dave J on 12/13/10 at 01:15 PM
"very limiting and I already knew how it would end since it is a famous story" totally agree with you on that line- also add that he's not the first person to be in this type of situation nor is he going to be the last!
1 Replies | Report Abuse
Jeffrey C. on 12/13/10 at 04:40 PM
That is very true.
0 Replies | Report Abuse
Pheasant on 12/14/10 at 10:35 AM
I'm excited to see this one! Its more intriguing since its a real story. Nice review :D
1 Replies | Report Abuse
Jeffrey C. on 12/14/10 at 12:29 PM
Thanks!
0 Replies | Report Abuse
Hawaiianguy2991 on 12/14/10 at 10:51 PM
Drinking pee, sounds interesting ;)
1 Replies | Report Abuse
Jeffrey C. on 12/15/10 at 12:56 PM
Haha
0 Replies | Report Abuse
SammuelJankis on 12/15/10 at 06:28 AM
good review. I still really wanna see this, I've read a lot of great things about it.
1 Replies | Report Abuse
Jeffrey C. on 12/15/10 at 12:56 PM
Thanks, you definitely should it will definitely make an appearance at the Oscars.
0 Replies | Report Abuse
AndysFilms on 12/15/10 at 07:07 AM
Nice review Jeffrey! It's still on my 'To See' list :(
1 Replies | Report Abuse
Jeffrey C. on 12/15/10 at 12:57 PM
Thanks!
0 Replies | Report Abuse
SB on 12/15/10 at 09:57 AM
I liked it more than Slumdog :) actually, I think i liked this one much more than you did. Nice review, though.
1 Replies | Report Abuse
Jeffrey C. on 12/15/10 at 12:57 PM
Thanks, glad you liked it so much.
0 Replies | Report Abuse
Mr. Taylor on 2/23/11 at 07:11 PM
I gave a similar score. It was a bit limited, I agree. Great performance though.
0 Replies | Report Abuse
Guido on 3/14/11 at 10:17 PM
nice review. one of my favourites in 2010
0 Replies | Report Abuse