I originally set out to watch Black Swan this past weekend, but considering its extremely limited release and my general laziness, I was unable to catch it. It is playing in the L.A. area right now at The Landmark and at the Pacific Arclight Hollywood, for any interested parties in the area. It will also open up to more theaters on 12/10 (namely Pasadena's Laemmle Playhouse where I frequent) and 12/17. For a full list of theaters, see Fox Searchlight's website.
After becoming disappointed that no theater within a 10 mile radius was playing Black Swan, I was pleasantly surprised to see that my local theater was carrying Danny Boyle's (Slumdog Millionaire) 127 Hours, another movie which I meant to see. Last year, I challenged myself to The Big 10, which included reviewing and watching all 10 best picture nominees before the Oscars took place. This year, I decided to get a headstart with 127 Hours, a movie that has built quite a bit of momentum on the awards circuit, and I'd be extremely surprised to find out that it hadn't been nominated for an Oscar (nominations will be announced January 25, 2011).
Director Danny Boyle's latest release is based on the true story of canyoneer Aron Ralston (depicted by James Franco), and the movie is subsequently based on Ralston's book, Between a Rock and a Hard Place. It follows the story of a young, capricious adventurer who goes on a weekend excursion alone in Utah's Big John Canyon without informing anyone else of his trip. Before I continue, I should preface this review with a disclaimer that if you do not want to know what happens in this movie, you should not read on. If you want to go into this movie completely surprised, I suggest you stay away from any and all blogs, TV spots, or interviews referencing this movie because the main plot point WILL be given away.
With that said, almost immediately you find Aron pinned down by a rock which has fallen into a small crevice in which he was attempting to pass through. He's unable to move because his arm is trapped, and the rock is too heavy to lift on his own. This marks the beginning of an emotionally grueling and physically harrowing 127 hours of his imprisonment under this seemingly harmless boulder. Note that this took place in 2003, when cell phones weren't so prolific, and you couldn't just reach into your pocket for your iPhone to make an emergency call.
The movie opens with Aron hurriedly packing for his excursion, letting the phone ring and go to the machine, where multiple messages from various family members and friends have gone ignored. While on his excursion, he meets two other young, female hikers (played by Kate Mara and Amber Tamblyn) who are lost, and Aron helps them find their way. It's clear in their encounter that Ralston is a peculiar character, one who seeks adventure and a life with no rigidity or plans, except ones that include solo canyoneering and cave diving. This sets up a series of flashbacks while Aron is delirious and trapped under the boulder, that relives his defining moments in life-- moments that portray him as the loving son, brother, and boyfriend, and others that portray him as the selfish son, brother, and boyfriend.
James Franco's emotional progression in this movie is astounding. The reason why the climactic amputation scene is so gruesome is not only because it's visually arresting, but because of the emotional investment into Aron's past and journey into the darkest 127 hours of his life. Hands down, Franco's performance is worthy of an Oscar nomination, and I'd say the same for Boyle. Danny Boyle has such a signature style that is so gritty and unpolished, and he loves to examine the depths of humanity and the value of human life. That's exactly what he does here. This story is an examination of inner strength and courage, and the element of reality that's attached to it makes this movie so powerful, that you can't look away, although you'll really want to, especially in the amputation scene. Ralston had to break both of his bones in his arms, and then cut through his flesh, tendons, veins, and nerves with just a dull 2'' pocket knife. This scene is definitely not for the faint hearted. I had to look away for the majority of the scene, because not only did it look real, but it felt real. It was terrifying. This isn't just some Saw franchise gore, this is the heartbreaking amputation following 127 hours of desperation and deprivation. Never has an arm, nor the inner strength of sacrifice, been more precious.
There's much more to outline and note here, but I'll just leave it at this. Go see 127 Hours. You won't regret it.
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