- Title: 127 Hours
- IMDB: link
Based on a true story, 127 Hours has a simple premise which relies on a strong performance by James Franco, and slowly building tension around one man trapped with his time running out, to provide one of last year’s most memorable films.
Aron Ralston (Franco) is a mountain climber who becomes trapped in a narrow canyon when a large boulder pins his arm. Almost the entire film takes place in this small space as Ralson thinks back over his life and desperately tries to find a way out of his life-threatening situation.
Aside for a short appearance by Kate Mara and Amber Tamblyn early in the film, and a small selection of actors seen in flashbacks, Franco is alone on-screen in darkness for almost the entire film. And it’s his Academy Award nominated performance that makes 127 Hours a must-see.
The Blu-ray includes deleted scenes, a digital copy of the film, a behind-the-scenes featurette on the making of the film, a look at the real Aaron Ralston, and commentary by Danny Boyle, co-writer Simon Beaufoy and producer Christian Colson.
127 Hours is definitely worth seeing. If you’ve got a strong enough stomach to watch it repeatedly you may want to buy the film on Blu-ray, but I’d recommend renting the movie and at least watching it once. Those who enjoy films filled with tension and strong performances shouldn’t mind being trapped with Franco for a couple of hours.