127 HOURS

Wow..................exhausted after watching this one!!! 127 HOURS is the true story of Aron Ralston, and the mountain climber's remarkable adventure to save himself after a fallen boulder crashes on his arm and traps him in an isolated canyon in Utah. Over the next five days Ralston examines his life and survives the elements to finally discover he has the courage to free himself by cutting off his own arm. James Franco is fantastic in the lead role, and is pretty much onscreen for the duration of this film, both in the canyon scenes and via flashbacks. Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire, The Beach, Trainspotting) directs the film, and as always, does an amazing job. There's not much to say about the actual story, we all know what is going to happen, and yet, when it does, you won't be able to watch. I didn't see anyone in the sceening I was in, fully watching the screen during the goriest scenes! Although, as James Franco kindly pointed out, Danny Boyle has been easy on the audience, in the film, it only takes a few minutes to cut off his arm (although it feels like 127 hours!!), in real life, it took Ralston about 4 hours!

The film shows scenes where Ralston films himself on a video camera, as a video diary of his ordeal. It is interesting to note, that these tapes actually do exist and have been shown only to a couple of Aron's closest friends. However, he allowed both Danny Boyle and James Franco access to them, to enable them to portray the scenario as real to life as possible.

Special mention goes to the beautiful Dr Andy Brown of Everwood (Treat Williams) who plays Aron's dad, very briefly!!!!

127 HOURS is not the easiest of films to watch, but if you are going to watch it, you should definitely do so on the big screen, to get the full impact! If you liked TOUCHING THE VOID, then you will definitely dig this one. Worth a look. It opens in Australia early next year.

Check out James at the London premiere of the film last night. Now look closely at the way his cardy is buttoned!!! Do you think it's meant to look like this?? He certainly just beats to his own drum!!!