127 Hours
starring James Franco, Amber Tamblyn, Kate Mara, Sean Bott and Treat Williams
written by Danny Boyle and Simon Beaufoy
directed by Danny Boyle
Rating: ♦♦♦♦♦
Based on the book Between a Rock and a hard Place by Aron Ralston, 127 Hours is the true story Ralston’s own harrowing experience while hiking alone in UtahState’s Canyonlands National Parkin April 2003. An experienced hiker and canyoneer, Ralston fell into a rock crevice and became trapped for five days, mostly without water. His arm was pinned by a fallen rock. To escape and survive Ralston had to cut off his own right arm. I remember when the story was in the news.
It’s very dramatic and difficult to watch some times. The Aron character in the film comes across as a bit of an asshole, and I hate to see stupidity lionized by a film. But to be honest, the story is not about Aron’s undeniable stupidity. It’s about the triumph of the human spirit through adversity. And what adversity!! I certainly could not do what he did in the situation. I would just die. But Ralston’s great physical fitness to start with plus his survival instincts helped him endure an accident that would kill me a dozen times over.
I enjoyed seeing Treat Williams. At first I didn’t recognize him.