REVIEW: 127 HOURS

3.5/5

On their latest trip, Boyle and Franco really draw you in.

15, 94 Minutes. Starring: James Franco, Amber Tamblyn, Kate Mara. Director: Danny Boyle. Screenplay: Simon Beaufoy & Danny Boyle

Hot on the latter years heels of Danny Boyle's Oscar winning, global sensation 'Slumdog Millionaire' comes '127 Hours', a true story set in the Utah, Salt Lake dessert's of Southwest America. This film stars really only 'Spiderman' and 'Pineapple Express'' James Franco (although, Amber Tamblyn and Kate Mara offer great support) as he portrays the true story of adventurer Aaron Ralston who slipped down a canyon and was trapped under a boulder in 2003.

As the title suggests (this film is based on the book, 'Between A Rock & A Hard Place', (which may have made an even better title). Aaron was trapped for over five days and to escape and survive he had to cut off his arm (NON SPOILER ALERT: everyone knows this already). Franco is perfect in this gruelling but entertaining piece, which thankfully in it's limited constricts doesn't feel like '127 Hours', or even it's one hour and a half run time.

This is because Franco is superb in his portrayal of Ralston, full of a potent mix of honesty and charisma and charm and heart. He is in parts funny, entertaining, moving, touching and most of all resilient. Franco really captures the elements of the real-life character of Aaron and all his bravery and genuine, personal qualities.

Boyle's direction is once more brilliant and yet again, on a different level, beyond run of the mill film making. From every cool camera angle to creative cut sequence and their respective techniques the sense of desperation and isolation is heightened. Boyle steps it up on this one, his enigmatic style looking effortless. Danny boy makes this all look like child's play he's so good.

The Salt Lake dessert is captured in all it's epic and vast beauty. It is the perfect backdrop for this film. As Aaron battles the elements and his own needs, hungers and thirsts, the odds against him and the will to live are mirrored justly and with dignity from this films director and it's leading man. The use of true-life imagery from the outside world further locks down this films realism. Aaron's visions in this film are also powerful and palpable, whether they be as poignant as family or as peculiar as 'Scooby Doo'. I told you this film was funny and touching.

Sure at many times this film is gruellingly, gruesome and horrendously, heart breaking but it's also uniquely uplifting. At times even euphoric, which in these days of movie desensitisation is the hallmark of superior film-making. The sense of terror is related by the audience when Aaron battles the different elements and the different struggles of keeping his head. The parallels in this film are used brilliantly two, adding the sense of the characters loneliness, from the company of strangers in a rush hour commute, to celebrations and commiseration's at a Utah Jazz basketball game.

Undoubtedly this is one of both Franco's and Boyle's finest and best. The star gives a career performance while the man behind the camera adds to his legend. There's nothing quite like this film...except for Ryan Reynolds hit 'Buried' last year that is. Both pictures deal with the senses of desperation and isolation perfectly. Both films are centred around the performance of one guy, constricted in one place. Both films also result in defining career points for two young, popular actors.

Sure 'Buried' may be more exciting but '127 Hours' is real, which makes it that much more powerful. For guys the only way to distinguish and choose is whether you prefer constant excitement or thought-provoking realism? As for girls it's who you'd rather be stuck in a confined space with for an hour and a half? Ryan Reynolds or James Franco? All joking aside however this is a seriously great film, but the real story that should be marvelled at here is the real life endurance story of courageous Aaron Ralston. Truly on another level. TIM DAVID HARVEY.