Oscar Nominee #6: 127 Hours

I’m going to stand my ground and express annoyance that this film is on the list. The film is not awful, it’s actually not bad and rather watchable. It’s not that I dislike Danny Boyle – I don’t, I think he’s a great talent – but to me, this is a case of simply nominating a film directed by a previous winner. A nomination for the sake of a nomination. If Slumdog Millionaire had not swept up in 2009, this film would not be here, but instead Ben Affleck’s far superior The Town would be. This isn’t to say that 127 Hours is completely undeserving; James Franco (Best Actor nominee and presenter of this year’s ceremony alongside the beautiful Anne Hathaway) displays terrific skills as the incredible story of Aron Ralston plays out on the screen. Danny Boyle didn't receive a Director nomination which lowers its chance and it isn't really a big dog in any of the other nominations. This is here for the sake of being here...

Would it have been nominated before the 10-nomination rule?

Definitely not – out of all the films on the list, this is the one that simply got it due to Franco’s nomination and Boyle’s previous Director win. A simple case of making up the numbers. Don't let this distract you from seeing 127 Hours if you want to - it's extremely watchable, but just the weakest in this category.

Rating out of 5: ●●●●●

Chances out of 5: ●●●●●

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127 Hours

2010, 15, Directed by Danny Boyle

Starring: James Franco, Amber Tamblyn, Kate Mara, Clémence Poésy

Danny Boyle’s latest focuses on the biographical story of Aron Ralston, a mountain climber who found himself in an unfortunate situation when a boulder trapped his arm in an isolated canyon in Utah for over 5 days. James Franco plays Ralston, a daunting job considering he is on screen for pretty much the entire film. To say he pulls it off is an understatement; he not only carries the whole film, he captures the pain, frustration and insanity Ralston experienced with what seems like ease, completely justifying his Oscar nomination. However, although Franco’s performance, combined with the shimmering cinematography creates a watchable 90 minutes out of what could grow tiresome in another craftsman’s hands, Danny Boyle’s direction does verge on the irritating. Acting as a symbol of Ralston’s psyche, the stylistic element of the camera relies too much on the emphasis of quirkiness. With the frenetic split screens and jump cuts, as 127 Hours commences it feels like an advert for an energy drink.

By the time the film reaches its inevitable destination - in case you don’t know, no spoilers here - against all the odds, an anti-climactic sense overbears. The overriding feeling though is a positive one: optimism. Ralston’s story (and the fact he is still alive to tell the tale) speaks for itself, and although Boyle’s picture is nowhere near his greatest, it ultimately succeeds in enlightening you on the bittersweet story with uplifting panache, but could benefit from a little more punch. 

3/5

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