The latest offering from UK indie filmmaker Danny Boyle tackles the real-life ordeal of Aron Ralston, and from the moment the film begins you can feel the tension building. Even though most people know what’s coming, Boyle starts things off in a light, energetic way: huge desert landscapes, a sense of freedom, and Aron cycling, climbing and generally living his best adventurous life. He even meets a couple of fellow hikers and ends up swimming through a stunning underground canyon — all of it showing the carefree, fiercely independent character he is before everything changes in Blue John Canyon, Utah. And no, we won’t spoil the moment itself.
Once the story reaches the “meat” of it, the tone shifts. Aron’s physical struggle becomes a mental one as well, with his mind drifting into memories, dreams and fragments from his childhood. Small victories keep him going — fifteen minutes of sunlight a day, improvising a rope-and-pulley system, rationing every sip of water — tiny bursts of hope that stop him slipping into despair.
Watching the film, I felt myself being dragged into that canyon with him. Claustrophobic. Cold as the temperatures dropped at night. An arm that felt numb with pins and needles. A mouth that suddenly seemed too dry. It’s incredibly immersive, to the point you’re mentally and physically uncomfortable , which is probably exactly the intention.
James Franco plays Aron impressively well. I wasn’t entirely sold at first, but he nails the mix of charm, reckless energy and sheer determination that the role needs. He genuinely feels like a 20-something adventurer who believes he can take on anything.
Some people will argue that this story could have been told as a short, hard-hitting documentary, but the extended format actually ramps up the intensity. You feel every hour with him. It’s an astonishing true tale of survival, charting both the highs and the lowest lows of 127 hours that changed a young man’s life.
A must-see for anyone who appreciates a film that actually makes you feel something. Trust us, you won’t forget this one in a hurry.
Film: 127 Hours
Average Joes rating: ★★★★☆
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