One Arm Less Better Than It Could Be.

Rating: 7/10 (15 September 2015)

127 Hours (2010): Dir: Danny Boyle / Cast: James Franco, Kate Mara, Amber Tamblyn, Treat Williams, Lizzy Caplan: Agonizing film about reflection. James Franco explores the beautiful mountains but ends up trapped with his right forearm caught between a boulder and the solid rock wall. After numerous attempts to free himself including using various item from his backpack, he calculates his remaining water and then drifts into maddening reflections of an attitude that generated a sense of self reliant. He reflections upon a past failed relationship as well as remember his upbringing when his father brought him up into the mountains. Directed by Danny Boyle whose credits include Slumdog Millionaire and Trainspotting. As with those films Boyle examines his subject's sanity through stylish camera trickery. Franco pulls off a flawed performance as a self reliant climber who suddenly finds himself forced to understand his need for others. The consequences of this lesson are graphic but not career deterring. Kate Mara and Amber Tamblyn are introduced as two explorers whom Franco assists when lost, then they hurdle into free spirited fun in a water pool within a tunnel. More of these two would have been great but Franco can only imagine the party they invited him too that he is missing. Treat Williams is seen briefly as his father who never says much and after his introduction he is merely seen as an image. Lizzy Caplan is featured briefly as his sister. Well crafted film about appreciating life and appreciating those who make the hours worth it. Score: 7 ½ / 10