My top 30 films - No.17

17. 127 Hours (2010) - "There is no force on earth more powerful than the will to live."

Another masterpiece in filmmaking from director Danny Boyle. First, there was Trainspotting; then there was 28 Days Later and Slumdog Millionaire and now this. Each one of his films is different from the previous one. This review does contain spoilers (cue red flashing lights and warning noises), so read at your own risk.

This is based on the extraordinary true story of Aron Ralston who trapped his arm between a canyon wall and a boulder in Blue John Canyon, Utah, back in 2003. He attempts to free himself by chipping away at the boulder with a blunt pen knife. With food and water running low, he starts hallucinating about things such as growing up, drinks commercials and his ex-girlfriend. After 5 days, by the time he starts drinking his own urine, Aron faces a decision, whether to give up or cut his own arm off. That might not sound much, but there is so much more to it than that. It is based on Aron Ralston's book Between a Rock and a Hard Place. There are some difference between the two of them, particularly when Aron falls upon a couple of lost walkers, Kristi and Megan (Kate Mara and Amber Tamblyn). In the book, he teaches them some climbing techniques, whereas in the film he shows them an underground pool. Apart from that, Aron described it "as close to a documentary as you can get and still be a drama".

Aron is portrayed by James Franco (Spider-Man, Pineapple Express and Rise of the Planet of the Apes). Originally, Aron filmed himself at certain points whilst trapped, in one case pretending his on a daytime chatshow. By contrast, several of them are personal, where his talking directly to his sister and parents. The original versions of those have only been seen by his family (not including James Franco and Danny Boyle). He feels vulnerable in this situation, as if he isn't going to see them again. In fact, they don't know he's there in the first place. That's why he apologizes to them. Imagine being in that situation. You would fantasise about individuals who have played a role in your life in some way, not only your loved ones. Then you find something to say about them. James Franco's performance is so believable; Scott Feinberg called it "one of the greatest performances of all time".

Danny Boyle said that he had never made a film like this. The majority of his previous films concentrate on groups rather than individuals, e.g. a spaceship crew, people growing up in slums, apocalyptic survivors or heroin addicts. He did admit, weirdly, being inspired by Mickey Rourke in The Wrestler, where the film concentrates throughout on an individual. It's the same with James Franco. One person has more control. There is sense of intimacy in the film, especially because it set and filmed in such a tight space. Other interesting shots include from the bottom of his water bottle
The main reason I like this film is because it made me wince with discomfort, especially when Aron decides to cut his arm off. I did look away at that point. I guessed that at some point he would try to do that and there is a lot of blood. The audience just isn't sure when will he decide to cut his arm off. It's not an "if" question. There will be blood and it is unnerving. By contrast, I once saw one of the Saw films and I remember yawning out loud after somebody got shot in the head. If you want to see blood and be in discomfort, either watch this or Videodrome.

In my revised list, this film has fallen down the order. However, it is still brilliant. I'll be honest and say I would not have the courage to do what Aron Ralston did. Given the same situation, would you do what he did? And thank god that there are directors like Danny Boyle who have kept independant cinema going with masterpieces such as this. There is nothing he cannot direct. Now all he needs to do is make sure our Olympic opening ceremony doesn't look s***...