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1st Rewatch...Danny Boyle, who won an Oscar for directing Best Picture winner Slumdog Millionaire scores a bullseye with this harrowing and claustrophobic docudrama that is one of the most troubling films to watch, containing several moments where I actually couldn't look at what was going on, even on this rewatch. James Franco delivers the performance of his career as Aron Ralston, a mountain climber who, during a climb in Moab, Utah, falls into a cavern and gets trapped because his arm gets trapped under a boulder and realizes he only has one option for escape. My stomach was in knots watching this movie again, on so many levels. Boyle puts the viewer right down there with this guy and makes you feel like you're trapped with him. The hardest parts of the film are watching the guy try to preserve the little bit of water he has and not long after, a thunderstorm brings him all the water he needs. It's also heartbreaking when he leaves messages on his camera. My heart also sank during a moment where a bird flies over him and he actually calls out to the creature. Loved that great reverse shot in fast motion that goes from Aron's location all the way back to his vehicle and the shot ends on a bottle of gatorade in his back seat. The film was nominated for six Oscars, including a Lead Actor nomination for Franco and a screenplay nomination for the director. If you have the stomach for it, belly up.
1st Rewatch...Danny Boyle, who won an Oscar for directing Best Picture winner Slumdog Millionaire scores a bullseye with this harrowing and claustrophobic docudrama that is one of the most troubling films to watch, containing several moments where I actually couldn't look at what was going on, even on this rewatch. James Franco delivers the performance of his career as Aron Ralston, a mountain climber who, during a climb in Moab, Utah, falls into a cavern and gets trapped because his arm gets trapped under a boulder and realizes he only has one option for escape. My stomach was in knots watching this movie again, on so many levels. Boyle puts the viewer right down there with this guy and makes you feel like you're trapped with him. The hardest parts of the film are watching the guy try to preserve the little bit of water he has and not long after, a thunderstorm brings him all the water he needs. It's also heartbreaking when he leaves messages on his camera. My heart also sank during a moment where a bird flies over him and he actually calls out to the creature. Loved that great reverse shot in fast motion that goes from Aron's location all the way back to his vehicle and the shot ends on a bottle of gatorade in his back seat. The film was nominated for six Oscars, including a Lead Actor nomination for Franco and a screenplay nomination for the director. If you have the stomach for it, belly up.