127 Hours (2010)

When A Man is Between Life or Death

Stars   :  James Franco, Kate Mara, Amber Tamblyn

Score  :  7.0 / 10

 

127 Hours tells of the true story of an American climber, Aron Ralston (James Franco). Aron had an accident when climbing in Blue John Canyon and had to survive for 127 hours (5 days and 7 hours). April, 25th, 2013, on night friday, Aron driving his car to Canyonlands National Parks to climb Blue John Canyon located in southwestern Canyonlands. He did not tell anyone about his climbing plans, including his family. The next day, Aron continue the trip by bicycle to reach the Blue John Canyon area. On his way, he met Kristi (Kate Mara) and Megan (Amber Tamblyn) who seemed lost and was looking for Dome area. 

Aron helped and led them to Dome. As an appreciated, Kristi asked him to come to the party tomorrow night. They split up and Aron went on his own climbing.

Aron, Kristi and Megan

When was going down to the slot canyon, Aron tried to hold on his hands and his feet on the wall around it. But unfortunately, Aron fell while holding on to a boulder. Aron falls to the bottom of the canyon. His right hand was injured and trapped among boulder and the wall.

Aron Ralston

Aron action on Blue John Canyon

Aron tried to push and lift the boulder to release his hands, but failed because it was very heavy. Aron had to survive on the bottom of the canyon during 127 hours with injured hand, 350 ml water in a bottle and also small food.

For several days, he tried to escape by destroying the boulder with a knife, but the knife becomes dull before he succeeded. He also tried to cut off his hand with a knife, but the knife was not strong enough to cut off his hand. He also tried to roll the boulder with a rope which he had brought, but still failed.

At first, Aron felt very panic, upset and desperate, but he realized it was not going to help. He tried to calm down and think to find a way out. He took out all the stuff that he brought from his bag and put it on the boulder. He also uses his camcorder and record all experienced during trapped in the bottom of canyon. He often imagines all things that are fun to entertain himself, such as a party at Kristi's home when was bored, acold soft drink when thirsty, his lover, mom, dad, sister and friends.  

Aron trapped at the bottom of canyon

Aron and all the stuff in his bag

127 Hours does not tell much story, because 80% of all movies currently showing the struggle of Aron on the bottom of the canyon. It is very pity because the profile of Aron was not conveyed properly. It would be nice if before entering the core of tragedy 127 hours, the audience is invited to know Aron first, at least the places that have been climbed by Aron before the tragedy.

When the tragedy of 127 hours happened, the efforts of his family to find him also not explained in the film. What Aron do after the tragedy? There are some parts missing and unclear. After watching this movie, I had to read the article on Wikipedia to find out about Aron' trs profile and what actually happened in the tragedy 127 hours. You can read it on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aron_Ralston.

Aron Ralston in real life
(Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aron_Ralston)

But, there are interesting things we can see from 127 Hours. We will look at the human side if someone was in between life or death. Aron thought of all those around him, he also had to say goodbye to everyone he ever met and carved inscription RIP on the canyon walls. He also did not want to lose the last chance to do some crazy things before he died, though he ultimately did not. There is inner conflict between the desire to stay alive and difficult conditions.

We can also learn from Aron to keep the spirit alive. Think positive and keep trying in the face of difficulty, because that can make us stay afloat. Check it, when Aron tried to live by drinking his own urine and was willing to cut off his hand in order to get out of the trap.