“127 Hours” is a movie that, in theory, shouldn’t work.
Based on a true story, the film follows Aron Ralston’s (James Franco) five-day struggle to free himself from a boulder that has trapped his arm in the middle of a Utah desert. Furthermore, the climax in which Ralston amputates his arm with a rusty pocketknife was highly publicized and generally common knowledge before the film’s release.
So how does a film with a stagnant setting and spoiled ending manage to claim universal praise and become one of the frontrunners in the upcoming Academy Awards?
Part of this success comes in large part from James Franco’s Oscar-worthy performance. Although previously starring in blockbuster films like “Spider-Man” and “Pineapple Express,” he has never taken on a role that essentially forces him to entertain an audience through performance alone — yet Franco is able to create a multifaceted character that is instantly likable and evokes sympathy.
Famous for the unique usage of sound in his movies, director Danny Boyle generates a surprisingly comical temperament within the story through the energetic soundtrack of A.R. Rahman. While the music may seem out of place at first, Boyle wisely balances the emotional severity of the situation with something upbeat, keeping the tone from becoming completely depressed.
Even with one gripping scene that makes Saw look like child’s play, “127 Hours” proves to be an uplifting story of sheer willpower and endurance. An incredible triumph, the film relinquishes all prior doubts and manages to make its 90-minute runtime seem fleeting.
