127 Hours

Only two years after winning a Best Picture (and Director) Oscar for Slumdog Millionaire, Danny Boyle will likely be in the running again with his latest movie, 127 Hours, although this time neither is favorite to win.

As is well known, 127 Hours tells the story of mountain climber Aron Ralston, who famously ended up with an arm trapped under a boulder in a remote canyon.  Aware that no one knew where he was and facing sure death, he found the strength to self-amputate the trapped arm in order to save his own life.

The handsome James Franco plays Aron in such a free rolling, spirited way that he is a sure bet for a Best Actor nomination as well.  He likely won’t win, as this year’s favorite is Colin Firth, but he definitely would deserve the honor if only for the fact that he carries the entire movie on his shoulders strikingly well.

127 Hours is a movie that, on paper, should never work, since there is supposedly no action as the protagonist is stuck in between two rock walls and can’t go anywhere.  However, in the capable hands of Danny Boyle and James Franco, it turns out to be engaging, engrossing, and uplifting.

As a side note, since there has been a lot of talk about the gruesomeness of the scene in which Franco cuts off his arm, I have to say that while fairly graphic, it’s not gratuitously gory like what you might see in any of today’s average horror movie.

Grade: 8