"127 Hours" s story of courage and determination

Rating: 10/10 (22 December 2010)

127 HOURS (2010): 4 stars out of 4. Starring James Franco and Amber Tamblyn. Screenplay by Danny Boyle and Simon Beaufoy. Directed by Danny Boyle. Rated R.
"127 Hours" is an extraordinary motion picture, a cinematic profile of courage, determination and the will to live no matter what the cost.
What is most amazing is that it is based on a true story. In 2003, mountain climber Aron Ralston goes canyoneering alone outside of Moab, Utah.
An accident wedges part of his arm under a boulder and he is unable to free himself until he resorts to very desperate measures.
As portrayed by James Franco, Ralston is somewhat of a hot dog — a loner and a somewhat irresponsible. He takes off for the wilderness without letting anyone know where he plans to climb. He also forgets to take his cell phone.
But he is a happy camper who enjoys trekking through the various crevices and byways of the canyons on his own,
That solitude also is his downfall for when he has his accident, he has nowhere to turn nor any means of communicating his predicament to anyone.
Franco gives a superb performance of a young man who, though impulsive, also is organized. With the exception of his cell phone, he packs all the gear he needs for what he believes will be a one-day excursion.
Director Danny Boyle opens the film with a montage of crowds and crowds of people hustling and bustling through their day.
He presents a frenetic, always on the go world. It is one Ralston is part of, but will soon leave for the comfort and stillness of the canyons.
One of Doyle's most impressive images is in showing how alone Ralston is after he becomes trapped. The vast emptiness around him swallows up his screams for help. T
(spoiler alert) The sequence where Ralston performs the necessary surgery to extricate himself is graphic and may make some queasy. It also is shot in a restrained manner. Doyle does not exploit the moment for shock value — that is not his intention.
What he does convey though, is the necessity and sacrifice one must make for survival.
"127 Hours" is a tour-de-force for Franco and Doyle. Both deserve Academy Award nominations in their respective categories, as does the picture in general.
It is one of the best films of the year, a gritty and triumphant inspirational story of one man's indomitable will to live despite the slimmest of odds.
Bloom is the movie critic and Blu-ray/DVD reviewer for the Journal & Courier. He also reviews Blu-rays and DVDs for Gannett. He can be reached by e-mail at bbloom@jconline.com