127 Hours Brings Aron Ralston's Amazing Story to Life
I don't usually get too worked up over movies, but I must admit those that depict human drama as raw and real as that of Aron Ralston's harrowing tale are the rare exception.
I distinctly remember reading a detailed description of how thrill-seeker and canyoneer Aron Ralston survived a physical ordeal in 2003, so horrific that few of us could comprehend. After finding himself trapped, more specifically, wedged in a Utah canyon crevice with an immovable boulder trapping his arm, Aron was forced to do the unthinkable.
The events which transpired for Aron over roughly 127 hours, much of them documented on video by Ralston himself, forced him to contemplate his life, his purpose and his will to live. It's truly one of the most awe-inspiring stories I've ever heard and I never forgot it.
Fast forward seven years, and we have a film adaptation of Ralston's journey to discover his own strength, and the ability to survive and overcome an event that would have killed lesser individuals. Dude is one tough mofo.
In the Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, Slumdog Millionaire) film, James Franco portrays Ralston, and critics are offering much praise for his performance. Not unlike Tom Hanks in Cast Away (another great survival film), Franco spends much of the film silent, instead focusing on the physicality of what he's enduring. If you don't know Aron Ralston's story, I won't spoil it for you, but be forewarned: this film is not for the faint of heart — but no doubt, it will be completely worth seeing.
127 Hours opens in theaters November 5.
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