127 Hours – Director Danny Boyle : Rated 15

127 Hours is the latest film from British Director Danny Boyle whose last film Slumdog Millionaire Stormed the Oscars in 2008. 127 hours stars Hollywood Sweetheart of the moment James Franco in the Lead role of Aron Ralston. The film is based on the real life situation Ralston found himself in for more than five days in 2003 when he became trapped by a boulder in Utah. Ralston wrote a book on this time called ‘Between a Rock and a Hard Place’.

The one thing I said after I came out of this film was that James Franco had a lot of balls taking on this role, as 95% of the time it’s just him, the boulder and us. Many actors couldn’t carry that off but Franco does and convincingly so. The way he engages with the camera even though there is no one there it feels like he is play against someone, the emotion he put into the screams of pain and frustration are excellent. We see Ralston make videos to his loved ones and these videos appear to get him through the situation. He still find time to be funny when apologising to his mum for not answering the phone.

I will say this though if you are squeamish and can’t even sit through an episode of casualty or just don’t like the sight of blood. You may want to avoid this movie as three quarters of the way through we get to see the desperation Ralston felt out there when he cuts his own arm off to get out. This scene is quite graphic and made me look away in parts and made me feel a little sick a points.

Danny Boyle has a really good eye for camera angles and uses them to full effect in this film. I must mention the supporting cast especially Amber Tamblyn and Kate Mara who play the two hikers Ralston meets before the accident. Even though they are on screen for a very small amount of time it proves important for Ralston and his
survival.

This film is a brilliant example of British film making being partly funded by Film4 and it shows that you don’t need huge explosions, Mass CGI and 3D to make a good film that will live up to viewers standards in the 21 century. Could there be Oscars nods for Boyle again and Franco…Possibly.

Franco will be hosting the 83rd Academy Awards AKA the Oscars alongside Anne Hathaway on 27th February 2011.

5 Flyers
On a side note please visit my blog for movie news and reviews.  Also reviews on DVD’s that have just been released go to www.eyeofanobody.blogspot.com