127 Hours - Movie review

WHAT'S IT ABOUT: Aron Ralston lives in the moment. And when he takes off on a trip to the middle of nowhere, he doesn't bother informing those he loves where to find him. He has 127 hours to regret that after getting pinned by a boulder in a canyon in the Utah desert. The time spent there helps him put his life into perspective

WHAT'S HOT: This is arguably one of Franco's best performances. In a role that was meant to get him accolades and laurels, he shines. At varying points in the film's graph, he depicts his character Aron's fearlessness, adaptability, looniness, trauma, regret and lastly his indomitable spirit with a rare conviction. Boyle is in a decidedly different domain than his usual choice of locations. When he says this was a film waiting to get made, you see why the wait was well worth it. Boyle and consistent writing collaborator Simon Beaufoy's screenplay is crisp and concise for the most part. The photography by another Boyle regular, Anthony Dod Edwards (check) guides you through an oft-explored landscape with a vision that feels notably fresh.

WHAT'S NOT: This isn't everyone's cuppa. For one, the storyline is mostly linear, save for a few flashbacks where Aron ponders over the decisions that led him to the moment where he got trapped. Certain scenes are not for the weak of heart. Considering his repeated attempts to rescue himself, you have to ask yourself, when is enough, enough? Also, why wait five-odd days before finding the courage to cut through one's limb? There have been worse accidents of such a kind and far more daunting tales of survival. Why pick Aron to immortalise on screen for posterity? For the answer to the question, you will be forced to watch the film.

WHAT TO DO: Go for it only if you have the patience and the stomach to sit through it. That apart, the only reason to catch this flick is Franco's believable portrayal of Aron Ralston.

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