![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
beckymonster
101 Movies in 2011 - Movie #2 - 127 Hours (2010)
WARNING - This review will *both* spoil the story and discuss scenes that maybe upsetting. Consider this fair warning. </ warning>
One of the aims I am hoping to fufil during this
With the latter, I am hoping to find at least one of his films that, on first watch (at least!) doesn't make me flail/shy away from what I am watching because I'm freaking out somewhat!
If it wasn't so stupid, it would be funny. But it is and it ain't!
(Have I ever mentioned that I am a huge wuss?! No? Consider it mentioned!)
Needless to say, 127 Hours does not pass this test. BUT in my defense... I did not close my eyes during *that* scene. If you've seen/read anything about this film, you *know* what scene I mean.
Okay - Plot: Based on the real life story of climber Aron Ralston (James Franco), who after a fall, becomes trapped by a boulder. No one knows where he is and he has no means of escape... until he does the unthinkable and cuts his (trapped) arm off.
***
In short - I loved this film. This is despite the fact that I felt like I had been thrown into a meat grinder and then dragged through a number of hedges before being chucked back into said meat grinder. Again.
I'm not kidding when I say it took me a good three-four hours to calm the f*ck down afterwards!
Hell, I would quite happily go see it again... so long as I didn't have to watch the 'cutting' scene again!
There is a good reason for why I felt so damn tense that I was gripping onto the arm rests so damn hard I nearly broke 'em. Tension.
I knew that the whole arm cutting thing was going to happen and every moment it grew closer, I grew more tense... to the point that when it did happen I made a bow string look laid back!
And to my credit - and because Boyle, Franco (and to a certain extent, Ralston himself) asked of it. I didn't close my eyes during that scene. I'd gotten this far, I couldn't back out now. To do so would have made a... mockery of what had gone on to that point. If he had courage to do that, I could have the courage to bear witness.
Things I loved:
The opening sequence with the crowds. It may seem surreal but it makes perfect sense.
The canyon scenery and cinematography of the landscape. The colours are breathtaking.
James Franco's performance. Oscar worthy certainly! He is riveting. Even during Ralston's darkest, most surreal moments, he doesn't oversell it. His performance is pitch perfect. Anyone want to guess how long it will take Chris Nolan to 'steal' him away, ala Mr Murphy *g*
The use of the video camera and music. I'm tempted to buy the soundtrack.
The faceplant. A moment of much needed levity and relief.
The final scenes - no spoken words but they say *everything*. There's a sense of peace and joy there that is almost palatable - even to someone as wound up as I was;)
What I didn't love
The disconnance of the nerve cutting. I (literally!) shudder to think about it.
I'm no critic (obviously!) but this is a far superior film to The Social Network, which (annoyingly) is getting all the praise at present during this awards season. When it should be this film... and Inception too.
If you can handle tension - then go see this film. Just have something/someone to grip onto.
