And with that, we have a favorite.
Up until yesterday, when somebody asked me which of the six films I'd seen so far was my favorite, I tended to answer with L'ILLUSIONISTE or THE TRIP...both of which were fun and memorable. But yesterday afternoon, I was rocked to the core by a film that will be difficult to knock off as my festival favorite - even with more than a dozen screenings still to go. The film of course, is 127 HOURS.
127 HOURS is the true story of Aron Rolston (James Franco) an outdoors adventurer who managed to get himself stuck in the Blue John Canyon in Moab, Utah. Specifically, he dislodged a boulder and managed to get his arm pinned underneath it. Rolston is miles away from anything resembling help, he has limited water and precious little food, and no amazingly handy tools. Just moments after he has fallen, the clock starts to tick on his chances of survival.
127 HOURS is beautiful, gripping, and wickedly intense. There have been stories of people being taken out of this film by medic, and I can understand why. The big payoff is a moment of such uneasiness, that I darned near made the piece of gum I was chewing a permanent part of my upper molar.
James Franco has no problem carrying most of this film all his own, and director Danny Boyle has found an inventive way to keep us locked into a story about one many all alone for more than five days.
Despite the gritty subject matter, 127 HOURS is filled with humour and charm. I'll get into deeper detail when it gets released, but I'm happy to say that one of the films I was anticipating most during this festival did not disappoint.
127 HOURS plays TIFF once more - Saturday September 18th at 6pm. It will get a limited release November 5th.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
TIFF Review: 127 HOURS
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14 comments:
Hooray!! I'm so glad it was good. It's high on my most anticipated list.
How is the cinematography? The aesthetics in the trailer would have had me buying a ticket then and there.
Meh.
Glad this is as good as I thought it would be. Saw the trailer with my good buddy Fred last week, his only reaction was "How can you make a movie out of that?" Then again, this is Danny Boyle, and he is the man. Can't freakin' wait, dude. What an effing story.
That's good to hear. Now I know I have at bare minimum one film that I was looking forward to, that I can continue as such!
Sweet! Awesome to hear that you loved it as I have been highly anticipating this. It can't come to theater soon enough for us poor commoners who can't be at TIFF.
Yeesh I'm pretty sure this film will be too intense for me. Hearing the story makes me uncomfortable in all my claustrophobic/squeamish places. But I'm glad to hear it's so good, since I dig James Franco a lot! I'll have to decide what to do when it gets a major release.
"... people being taken out of this film by medic" Yikes, that could be me! I really want to see this movie but I don't think I can watch it. I read a whole interview of the real guy Ralston and kept wincing just reading him recite the experience.
P.S. Just letting you know you inspire me to get involved with a local film fest later this month. Of course it's minuscule compared to TIFF, but we all got to start somewhere :)
AHHH! Can't wait!
This seems to be one of the early unanimous favorites of the festival circuit. To be honest, I'm not surprised in the least. Boyle's passion for the project seems through the roof, as it usually is.
(By the way, my "Get Low" review is posted, if you find some time to give it a read. http://www.thekingbulletin.com/2010/09/13/movie-review-get-low-2010/)
Wowsers...looks like I found a flick y'all were interested in!
@ Jess... Just heard you mention that today on The LAMBcast. You won't be disappointed!
@ Fitz... The photography of this film is stunning. Boyle has not merely confined us to the chasm, and made full use of the majesty that is Moab.
@ Sasha...Just for that, you're not getting your name tag back!
@ Aiden... To be honest, I was quite fearful that the film could get very dry, seeing as how we'd just be relying on one actor in one spot. But the film has been constructed in such a way that makes the time fly. Doesn't hurt that Franco gives one of the best performances of his career.
@ Univarn... I feel the pain of dashed expectations. Glad I can be the bearer of good news.
@ Castor... I nominate you to organize the blogger-community-field-trip to TIFF next autumn.
@ Alex... I can understand that. It is indeed quite intense. I made a new friend at TIFF and watched this next to her and she was shaken up more than once. I myself won't soon forget my feelings watching "The Scene".
@ RTM... There's more to the movie than just one scene of graphicness. I vote you play it by ear and try to soldier through it.
Which festival are you getting involved in...and did you throw in to cover it as press?
@ Sebastian... November can't come soon enough huh?
@ Danny... It's hard to really gauge what the tempreture is like for this film. A lot of the people I know and have spoken to skip this sort of film because "It's coming out in a few weeks"
But for my money - awesomeness.
Oh I'd still see this on dvd so I can ffwd the most graphic part... for my nerves' sake.
Have you been to my blog? :) I posted about it as well as have a banner of TCFF on my sidebar. This year is the kick off but hopefully it'll find more success in the coming year.
Like the others, I'm glad/relieved more than anything to hear that this is a good 'un.
Talk about your money shots...everyone in the theater will be waiting 90 minutes (or so, I'm guessing) for the "magic" to happen.
@ RTM... I'm sorry to say that I've only been skimming people's spaces since TIFF started, but I'll give yours a look toute suite. Don't poo poo covering a small fest in its first year - you'd be surprised how many great relationships can be forged that way, and how much growing everyone can do together!
BTW...I recommend seeing this on a big screen for maximum effect. Just shut your eyes if it's getting to be "too much".
@ Fletch... That 'money shot' you speak of? It garnered a round of applause from the audience I saw it with. make of that what you will!
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