For those who read my tweets, you'd probably know how much I look forward to watching this movie :)
It stars James Franco as Aron Ralston, the Intel engineer-turned-outdoor adventurer who got his right hand wedged by a dislodged boulder and how he (oh this is not a spoiler, by the way) had to cut it off after five days of being trapped in the canyon. His TRUE STORY, happened back in 2003 in Moab, Utah.
Aron is one crazy guy living off adrenaline. Seriously. A memorable line from his book on why he does what he does :
"..and it seemed that he was making sure I was doing them for the
right reasons - climbing not for bragging rights, or the perceived
admiration of others, but because it made me happy."
Does that resonate with you?
I read Aron's book just before Christmas, and couldn't find the movie then as it was just released in US on Nov 5.
Anyway, now that I've watched it, I can now say that this is a very good movie. Not just because of its pacing, gorgeous desert vistas, great soundtrack, bite-size flashbacks and top notch performance by Franco I thought - I enjoyed it mainly because it managed to portray the physical agony, and the tenacity of the human spirit in refusing to accept death as an option, even when it seems inevitable. (Did that sound right?) I probably can't describe it accurately.
Directed by Danny Boyle (of Slumdog Millionaire fame) and music by AR Rahman (also of the same fame), 127 Hours certainly did not disappoint.
I smell nominations galore during the awards season.
Nice and haunting track from Dido and AR Rahman.
Thumbs up. 4.5 stars from me.
p.s. The amputation scene may make you feel queasy.
p.p.s. Read the book :)
p.p.p.s If I have one complaint, I'd say they didn't manage to make Franco scruffy and dirty enough after five days of entrapment.
[Note : I am learning to 'accept' movie versions, usually if I've read the book I won't watch the movie. Maybe that's because I do not want to be disappointed and that I prefer to remember the story as told by the author, not the screenplay writer or director. Then I realised that they're really two different things, one is an interpretation of the other and it's part of the creative process for a different audience. So, yes, I accept that. Thank you :) Liberation!]
I've missed so many good movies. The last movie I watched was Buried and that was like months ago. This 127 Hours seem interesting to watch.
ReplyDeleteJipp - I dare not guarantee you'll like it as much, my guess is you will because he likes to go solo too :)
ReplyDeleteImpressed with your views on this film, I watched 127 hours on my flight back from Dubai recently. And yes, you're right, it's indeed a superb film! I'm thinking of getting the book now.
ReplyDeleteP/S Agree 100% with you on p.p.p.s.!
Julie - :) Superb, right? I can heave a sigh of relief now that I am NOT the only one who thinks so. They say it's only because I swoon over Franco (so unfair comment :P) Yes, please get the book, saw a version at Popular.
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