127 Hours

127 Hours

James Franco stars in director Danny Boyle’s true to life movie, 127 Hours, about Aron Ralston.  As most of us can recall, Aron made national headlines when he went missing and was subsequently found after amputating his own arm while on a hiking expedition in the desert.  I remember thinking that I could not fathom how I could come to that decision or even if I would have been capable of completing the task.  After watching the movie, I certainly can see how the human spirit and the will to survive can drive a person to take extreme measures that would otherwise seem unimaginable.

Aron (Franco) begins by preparing for a day away to enjoy the beauty and wonder that only Mother Nature can provide.  Unfortunately for him, he does not answer his own mother’s call before rushing out the door in seek of his next greatest adventure.  With a great amount of enthusiasm, he drives deep into the desert canyon, hops on his mountain bike and begins the biggest journey of his life.

As our self-aloof thrill-seeker continues on, he runs across two young ladies who have apparently lost their way.  Being the outgoing and helpful guy that he is, not to mention that the ladies are easy on the eyes, Aron volunteers to help them regain their bearings and takes them on a semi-guided tour.  Once the fun has dissipated; Aron says au revoir to the dashing beauties and continues on his merry way.  Once again, he misses the opportunity to reveal his plans to another human being.  Unfazed by being alone, Aron presses on with thoughts of excitement and adrenaline rushes yet to come.

Aron moves nimbly along the earth, crevices, and boulders as though they have been life-long friends that knew each other’s inner-most thoughts.  Perhaps he should have been communicating a little more clearly, because in a split second his world came crashing down around him.  As he is maneuvering his way down a steep incline, a boulder rolls free and speeds up his descent.  As though right out of a Hollywood movie, he is stopped in mid-air almost as though suspended by some magical force.  To his chagrin, he realizes that his hand has become lodged between the canyon wall and the enormous boulder that would soon become his nemesis.

The next several days are nothing short of life altering as Aron deals with death, life, and hallucinations that seem all too real.   He entertains himself with a camcorder that he has with him, which also acted as his last will and testament.  During his entrapment, he reflects on his relationships and how they all seemed to fail because he was too busy worrying about his own happiness.  He comes to realize that life is not all about the things we want, but the relationships that we cultivate over time.  In a moment of weakness (perhaps it was strength), Aron has a premonition/hallucination of his first born son.  Upon this stark revelation that he was to be a father, Aron makes it his priority to get out of his precarious situation by any means possible.  He knew that there was only one way to escape and that would involve some of the most horrendous and excruciating pain known to man. 

Did I like this movie?  Yes, I did like the movie.  The cinematography alone was breathtaking, but the acting was so amazing it goes beyond words.  With all due respect to The King’s Speech, this film should have produced the Best Actor.  This film earns 4 ½ stars for attempting something so difficult yet delivering a solid work of art.  If you have not had a chance to see this movie, I highly recommend you put it on your must see list.  You won’t be disappointed!

That’s How Matt See’s It!