127 Hours – A Fox Searchlight Pictures’ Release

http://www.foxsearchlight.com/127hours/

DVD Release Date: March 1st, 2010

Rated 14A for coarse language, disturbing content and graphic violence

Running time: 93 minutes

 

Danny Boyle (dir.)

 

Danny Boyle (screenplay)

Simon Beaufoy (screenplay)

 

Based on the book Between a Rock and a Hard Place by Aron Ralston

 

A.R. Rahman (music)

 

James Franco as Aron Ralston

Kate Mara as Kristi

Amber Tamblyn as Megan

 

Our reviews below:

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127 Hours DVD Review By John C.

**** (out of 4)

In 2003, a falling boulder pinned Aron Ralston’s arm to the wall of a crevice when he was exploring Blue John canyon in Utah.  He was literally trapped, as his autobiography’s title suggests, between a rock and a hard place.  Ralston remained alone for over 5 days, before amputating his own arm to save his life.  In 127 Hours, award-winning director Danny Boyle has brilliantly adapted Ralston’s amazing story for the screen, and the results are thoroughly gripping.

 

At the heart of the film is a performance from James Franco that ranks as one of the best in recent memory, as he displays the emotional and physical struggle brilliantly.  Although many of us will need to shield our eyes from the film’s most gruesome images, the striking cinematography, raw emotion and undeniable power make this is an endlessly moving and electric hymn to life.  127 Hours will shake you up, break you down, and every bit leave you glad to be alive.

 

The Blu-ray includes commentary with Danny Boyle, co-writer Simon Beaufoy, and producer Christian Colson, deleted scenes, as well as a couple of featurettes.  Also included on the disc is Luke Matheny’s Oscar-wining short film, God of Love.

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127 Hours DVD Review By Erin V.

**** (out of 4)

In 2003, 27-year-old Aron Ralston was out canyoneering alone in Blue John Canyon when after knocking loose an 800 pound chockstone, found his right arm pinned to the canyon wall.  For once, he hadn’t told anyone where exactly he was going.  After 5 days trapped there, exhausting every option he could think of, and now completely out of food and water, he knew he would die without doing something drastic, so made the decision to amputate his own arm in order to free himself.

 

This kind of story begs to be adapted into a film, and Danny Boyle (Millions, Slumdog Millionaire) came on as director to make it happen.  The result is a gripping film with quick edits and sweeping cinematography (despite the fact that the majority of the film takes place in an incredibly enclosed space).  James Franco was cast as Aron Ralston, and his performance is really well done.  He literally carries this film, as for most of the running length, he is the only one on screen.

 

What has garnered 127 Hours a lot of attention though, is the fact that it does have scenes that a lot of moviegoers won’t really want to see on screen.  But these scenes have to be there.  Personally I half-watched the amputation scene, half looked away, and what I found is, although really graphic, it doesn’t feel the same way as watching a really graphically violent action-film like Kick-Ass, for example.  The difference I realized afterward, is that this violence is not to destroy life, but rather to be able to live it.  No one is killed here – the graphic scene is of a purely surgical nature.  It’s because of the fact that he had to perform this kind of surgery on himself, that some will find it harder to watch than films in other genres (in particular those that are fictionalized).

 

It’s not going to be a mainstream film, or one for everyone, but ultimately this is a really inspirational story about life and what we can succeed to do with the will to live.  The film 127 Hours is based on Aron Ralston’s book, Between a Rock and a Hard Place.  I would recommend this story in one form or another.

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127 Hours DVD Review By Nicole

**** (out of 4)

127 Hours is a riveting and moving film by Danny Boyle.  Based on the autobiographical book Between a Rock and a Hard Place by Aron Ralston, 127 Hours captures the raw emotion of one man trapped in a crevice.  James Franco is believable as Ralston, who, after having his arm pinned by a rock for 5 days, had to make a painful but life saving decision.  I was one of the majority that could not watch the infamous scene, though I know people who did.

 

127 Hours is a movie that holds you on the edge of your seat and leaves you in tears at times,  but ultimately has you cheering.  It is no wonder it got 6 nominations at the Oscars.

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127 Hours DVD Review By Maureen

**** (out of 4)

127 Hours is a powerful true life story and movie.  Based on the book Between a Rock and a Hard Place by Aron Ralston, director Danny Boyle beautifully captures the confined space and the emotional challenge Ralston (James Franco) faced as he ultimately comes to terms with the decision to cut off his own arm and free himself from the Blue John Canyon boulder that kept him captive for five days.

 

Oscar nominated James Franco is amazing as the trapped climber.  He essentially carries the movie.  He never resorts to melodrama when portraying a man confined to a small place and wrestling with his own mortality.  Franco’s performance is believable and moved me to tears at many points.

 

There is so much tension built into 127 Hours as the movie progresses and time appears to be running out for Ralston.  The most tense scene has to be the point where Ralston makes the dramatic decision to cut off his arm.  I must admit that I watched this scene through my fingers.  Maybe on a subsequent viewing I will feel braver.

 

Ultimately this is a life-affirming story.  With beautiful cinematography , excellent film editing and a perfect performance by James Franco, 127 Hours is a must-see.  Serious movie watchers will want to add this one to their collections.

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127 Hours DVD Review By Tony

**** (out of 4)

127 Hours refers to the time of Aron Ralston’s ordeal, dramatized perfectly by James Franco in this Danny Boyle film. While exploring rock crevices in Utah, Ralston was trapped by a fallen rock, only able to escape by severing his arm. The challenge of filming a story that mainly involves a single character in a confined space is brilliantly met as the struggle to survive is accompanied by flashes of the thoughts, memories and dreams shared in Ralston’s book.

 

The film is well paced with enough suspense to keep us watching and finally accept the inevitable moment of truth, even if some of us need to avert our eyes. Ultimately, 127 Hours is a great affirmation of the value of life and what we can do to save it.

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Consensus: 127 Hours, director Danny Boyle’s masterful adaptation of Aron Ralston’s amazing true story, is a gripping and ultimately life affirming film, with an outstanding performance from James Franco at it’s heart. **** (Out of 4)