Danny Boyle became a household name in India with ‘Slumdog Millionarie’. As much as it attracted criticism for typecasting India, his skills at filmmaking accumulated accolades. Boyle teams up yet again with the Maestro, AR Rahman, screenwriter Simon Beaufoy and producer Christian Colson for ‘127 Hours’.
Shot on location at Utah, it is based on true account by Aron Ralston in his book ‘Between a Rock and Hard Place’. The film deal’s with the protagonist’s ordeal for more than 5 days after a fallen boulder crashed on his arm and trapped him in an isolated canyon. The lack of food and hisdwindling water can made it worse. James Franco (Harry Osborne in ‘Spiderman’) plays Aron Ralston’s part to perfection.
The movie doesn’t dwell on whether Ralston did or didn’t do something right. Rather, it is his varying emotions that take the centre-stage. Amidst therocky hopelessness around him, he reminisces his family, draws recollects his last best moments with the passersby he had just met, his thirsty thoughts traveling to the half-filled drink bottle in his car, keeping his spirit alive and finally, garnering the courage to redeem himself.
The biggest challenge in a solo film is zero opportunity for dialog. The writers make up for it by interspersing it with recollections, wishful thoughts and self recorded videos. That said ‘127 Hours’ excels at dramatizing the events visually. Cutting between character’s point of view and close up of the expressions and then putting in some detailed slow motion shots, the camera work is simply mind blowing.
To its credit, its portrayal of events has a ‘thumbs up’ from the real-life Aron Ralston! But, turning what could have been a great documentary on TV into intense drama on the big-screen marks Danny Boyle’s achievement. AR Rahman’s ominous music contributes to intensifying the drama. And, itsediting has drawn applause too.
Goodies apart, ‘127 Hours’ may not be suitable for all audiences. A certain scene (not discussed here) without which the story wouldn’t have been complete could be termed ‘gory’. But if you think you can stomach it, this flick is not to be missed!
Rating 8/10: Well made! Highly intense and at times disturbing!
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