127 Hours (2010)

A mountain climber becomes trapped under a boulder while canyoneering alone near Moab, Utah and resorts to desperate measures in order to survive.

Director:

Danny Boyle

Writers:

Danny Boyle (screenplay), Simon Beaufoy (screenplay)

Stars:

James Franco, Amber Tamblyn, Kate Mara

Nominated for 6 Oscars. Another 23 wins & 142 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
James Franco	...	Aron Ralston
Kate Mara	...	Kristi
Amber Tamblyn	...	Megan
Sean Bott	...	Aron's Friend (as Sean A. Bott)
Koleman Stinger	...	Aron Age 5
Treat Williams	...	Aron's Dad
John Lawrence	...	Brian
Kate Burton	...	Aron's Mom
Bailee Michelle Johnson	...	Sonja Age 10
Parker Hadley	...	Aron Age 15
Clémence Poésy	...	Rana
Fenton Quinn	...	Blue John (as Fenton G. Quinn)
Lizzy Caplan	...	Sonja
Peter Joshua Hull	...	Boy on Sofa (as P.J. Hull)
Pieter Jan Brugge	...	Eric Meijer

Storyline

127 Hours is the true story of mountain climber Aron Ralston'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 and the wherewithal to extricate himself by any means necessary, scale a 65 foot wall and hike over eight miles before he can be rescued. Throughout his journey, Ralston recalls friends, lovers, family, and the two hikers he met before his accident. Will they be the last two people he ever had the chance to meet?

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Plot Keywords:

survival | alone | based on autobiography | aron ralston | mountain climber | 

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Taglines:

There is no force more powerful than the will to live.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some disturbing violent content/bloody images

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA UK France

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

28 January 2011 (USA)

Also Known As:

127 Hours

Filming Locations:

USA

Box Office

Budget:

$18,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$264,851, 7 November 2010

Gross USA:

$18,335,230

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$60,738,797

Company Credits

Production Co:

Pathé, Everest Entertainment, Cloud Eight Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Since Ralston did not tell anyone that he was going hiking, no one knew that he was missing or even where to look for him. However, the moral of his story is lost on readers of his biography and audiences of the ensuing movie. One of them, 64 year old Amos Wayne Richards ventured to the same spot Ralston did and he did it without telling anyone. While 60 feet down a 70-foot-deep ravine, Richards slipped and fell the last 10 feet to the bottom. During the fall, he dislocated his shoulder, bumped his head on a rock, and broke his leg. It took Richards four days to crawl out of the ravine, and by the time the park rangers found him, he had already finished all of his water. In the end, it was the collective dumbness of 127 Hours fans that saved Richards. The park rangers at Blue John Canyon realized that Richards was missing because they were used to the influx of hiking enthusiasts to the canyon since 127 Hours was released. In fact, since 2005 (Ralston's biography came out in 2004), more than two dozen rescues have been performed in that same area - between 1998 and Ralston's incident, that number was "none."

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Goofs

During the flashback to the game where Aron's girlfriend walks out on him, an ad for the Motorola phone, Droid, can be seen although there was no such thing at the time.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Aron Ralston: Hey. Aron here. Leave a message.
Sonja Ralston: Hey Aron. Sonja here, again. I know that you're probably gonna be away this weekend. But listen, just think about we we're gonna play. Please. 'Cause we have to decide, and we really... We need to practice, okay? Anyway, it will be fun. I promise. And oh, please call mom. Please. 'Cause she worries, which you know already. Okay. Later, A., goodbye.

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Crazy Credits

The title "127 Hours" appears about 16 minutes into the film.

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Connections

Referenced in Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee: I'm Wondering What It's Like to Date Me (2014)

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Soundtracks

Scooby Doo, Where Are You
(Ben Raleigh / David Mook)
Published by Mook Bros. West
administered by Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp./Wise Brothers Music LLC (ASCAP)
Produced by Matt Fletcher

User Reviews

127 HOURS - Danny Boyle right on the money

I came into this movie with high expectations. Danny Boyle, who brought us 28 DAYS LATER and SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE had a lot to live up to with the quality of prior movies, and he did not disappoint. He brought the challenge of creating an interesting movie based on our main character being immobile to life, and captivating it was. Being stuck with our main character the entire duration of the film was anything but tedious, as we follow the thoughts of canyoneer Aron Ralston (James Franco) as he gets trapped under a rock while exploring the beautiful sights of Utah. The camera does a fabulous job taking us everywhere a wandering mind might migrate in a situation such as this.

The human connection element was most fascinating, as we wonder what we would do if placed in a similar situation. We are really "with" Ralston on his journey, as we see him discover a reason to live and how his life perspective changes, not just how to get free from his predicament. The film manages to stay optimistic and warming, despite the frustration and angst felt by Ralston and viewers. And we certainly thank Boyle for some of the lighter moments that temper the severity of the situation.

The film does not shy away from tough choices and certainly keeps it "real" during the entire run, especially during the critical climax scene. Despite being stuck in place the movie is fascinating at the pace with which it moves and keeps the audience's attention from start to finish. So while Ralston loves living on the edge, we see Boyle create this movie in a similar fashion, metaphorically speaking, as the intensity and gripping nature of Ralston's circumstances comes alive and sucks us in.

In the movie Aron Ralston sets off on a typical weekend excursion being outdoors and with nature. During his journey he befriends a couple of female hikers who are somewhat lost and looking to get back on their way. He shows them the ropes of the canyons and they set off home. Little do they know that their friend will need their help just moments later. Becoming trapped under a rock, Ralston now is faced with the challenge of keeping himself alive while trying to break loose from the rock's firm grasp. As Aron works on a solution, we see him wonder about the party he's been invited to just hours earlier, think about how his has ignored his family, wonder about where he left his Gatorade, which would keep him hydrated longer, do a live interview featuring himself on camera, and drink his own urine.

I think the part of the movie that moved me the most actually occurred after the climax, where we see Ralston, broken, desperate, and willing to end his lone-wolf mentality for good. The emotions felt during the last 5 minutes signify human triumph, perseverance, and the power of the human spirit. Incredible movie, a definite must-see 9/10 stars