The Survivalist

I am such a sucker for a good triumph of the human spirit story.

Any film that captures that in an effective way is a good film, and 127 Hours is a very good film because A) it’s been directed by Danny Boyle, and B) it stars James Franco.

Any time you see the words “A Danny Boyle Film” appear on the big screen you know you’re in for a treat, and his take on Aron Ralston’s Between a Rock and a Hard Place – for which he reteamed with his fellow Slumdog Millionaire Oscar winners, screenwriter Simon Beaufoy and composer A. R. Rahman – is no different.

First things first, though: You remember Ralston, right?

He’s she Colorado thrillseeker who in 2003 found himself literally stuck in the scenario that gave his memoir its title down in the Canyonlands National Park in Utah and lived to tell the tale.

Right there you have yourself a compelling, engrossing story...that of a man who defied all odds for more than five days in his quest to survive an impossible situation, and Boyle knows it and makes the film literally all about Ralston.

127 Hours starts with extreme energy as we see Aron heading out on this particular adventure, this date with destiny as we later hear him call it, alone, just the way he prefers it.

Aron, as fascinatingly played by Franco, is a man who likes it how he likes it, when he likes it, and that’s how it is.

He’s a bit of a cocky guy, but I guess one must be a bit so if one enjoys doing the sort of things he does, and he sure does and seems to know what he’s doing, so y’ know...so what, who cares.

When he runs into a couple of cute hiker girls (Amber Tamblyn and Kate Mara, playing roles made up for the screen, I believe – don’t quote me on it), he’s flexible enough in his plans that he deviates from them for a while to hang out and show them a good time by taking them to a beautifully blue lake the secret, in-the-know way.

That’s just the kind of guy he is, always up for funsies.

Soon enough, though, the fun gives way to unthinkable horror when he falls through a crack, dislodging a big ol’ boulder than comes to rest on his right arm. In that moment of realization, Franco is amazing. He says it all with nothing but a gasp, a tears-forming-behind-his-eyes look, and a drop of the jaw.

From there the clock begins ticking on 127 Hours, each one more excruciating than the one before for Aron but, nonetheless, quite riveting to experience from the safety and comfort of a movie theater seat.

We see him try to free himself to no avail, cry for help without anyone coming, become acquainted with his new surroundings....

We see him dangling there, trapped, with very little water or food, knowing that no one will get to him time because...he didn’t tell anyone where he was going. Of the mess he’s in all he can say to his camcorder is, “Oops.” Despair is not an option.

And although he’s hallucinating, we also see him keep it together and find the strength that he needs in the memories of an ex-girlfriend, of his friends and family (to whom he apologizes for not being a good-enough son, for not being able to be there for what’s coming up), and the prophetic thoughts of a future in which he’s not only alive but surrounded by a family of his own.

It is sheer will to live that drives Aron to do what few people would fathom, to get out of there no matter the cost.

Armed with a dull, cheap knife, he springs himself from his prison by breaking his arm and cutting it off in a most intense scene that may be a bit difficult to watch but even more so to look away from or avoid (Rahman’s music ensures that the experience is inescapable). In that moment, Franco is amazing yet again.

By then we’ve gotten to know Ralston so well, we can’t help but breathe (forget a sigh of relief...just breathe) and laugh when he matter-of-factly snaps a photo of is severed arm. That’s just who he is and the most fitting way for him to walk away from his ordeal. It’s a mesmerizing thing to behold, and when Aron is finally rescued, well...let’s just say I almost cried of happiness.

My Rating ****

Photo: Fox Searchlight Pictures.