Between a rock and a hard place

Director: Danny Boyle,
Starring: James Franco, Amber Tamblyn, Kate Marra

Based on the autobiography of hiking enthusiast and engineer Aron Ralston, 127 Hours tells the story of how the young adrenaline junkie (played by James Franco) becomes trapped in a remote canyon in Utah when a boulder falls on his arm.

Over the next five days (or 127 hours), Ralston examines his life and considers his options, before reaching the agonising conclusion that there is only one thing he can do if he is to survive – cut off his own arm.

Boyle brings his usual flair to the action, jumping into flashbacks, fantasies and hallucinations to give the movie some shape. It’s the cinematic equivalent of restless leg syndrome, but serves to convey Ralston’s unravelling state of mind.

Visually creative, well acted, and immensely immersive – the film packs a visceral punch even before the amputation scene, which is nauseatingly gory.

127 Hours is one of the great survival stories and easily one of the most inspirational, triumphal things you will ever see. You will walk out of the film not depressed, but elated – a must-watch for all audiences.

Genre: Adventure | Drama | Thriller
Age Restriction: R
Runtime: 94 min