127 Hours (Danny Boyle, 2010): USA/UK

Reviewed by Ulrika Bjorck at Santa Barbara International Film Festival 2011.

I had really high expectations for 127 Hours before I saw it. I’d heard so much about it that it was almost like I was prepared to be disappointed in it.  But, I have to tell you, this movie even excelled my expectations. It has been quite a while since I felt this moved and touched by a movie. You immediately know this is a good production when you actually feel like you are experiencing everything that happens on the screen yourself. And you know it’s a great performance by the leading actor when you don’t once question his credibility. Knowing that this story is based on true events makes it even more real. James Franco portrays Aron Rolston in a genius and convincing way, and I’m more than impressed with his work. He manages to make all 94 minutes interesting, exciting and also nerve-racking even though this is more or less a one-man show.

We get to follow the extreme adventurer and mountain climber Aron Rolston on his way to yet another day of climbing, this time in the canyons of Utah. It’s a spectacular place, with the most incredible views, and this is what Aron lives for. Every time he’s out there on his adventures he puts his own life at risk, but for Aron it is all worth it, just to be able to feel the presence of nature and being alive. This specific morning he leaves his house without a worry in the world. And this one time without letting anyone know where he was leaving for, and what his weekend plans were, Aron began his journey in the empty wilderness. Biking and hiking, he finally reaches the canyon of where the climbing is supposed to take place. Even the smallest mistake in these treacherous mountains, can be fatal, but Aron has a lot of experience and could never even imagine anything going wrong on such an “easy” trip in the canyon. If only he knew what he would have to go through and where he would spend the following 127 hours.

The scenery in this movie is just breathtaking, and throughout the whole movie this is something the director (Danny Boyle) won’t compromise on, instead he emphasizes it. The lighting is so clear and all the colors are amazingly bright. Even though we get to see the horrific way in which Aron is suffering, we also get to see the beauty of the canyons and it is not hard  to understand why he fell in love with it in the first place.

While watching this movie I got to think of another one I saw a while back, “Buried”, starring Ryan Reynolds. They have a very different story overall, and in every kind of way really. The important and similar part is that the main problem is the same; being trapped. Desperately in need of help, losing all hope, but still have the instinct of survival and a will to live. They are made in a way that sets you as a viewer in a kind of panic and feeling of being trapped yourself, wanting to get up to the surface. These are both stories about a furious fight for life.

I want to urge everyone to go and see this film. It was such an experience for me, and after I saw it I almost got a new view of life. This is the kind of film that gets stuck on your mind. And maybe you’ll never forget the amazing story of Aron Rolston trapped in the canyons of Utah for 127 hours.

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Published:
02.03.11 / 4pm
Category:
Films, Santa Barbara Film Festival 2011