127 Hours (2010) (R)

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?

James Franco began his career as the "pretty-boy of the 21st century" and many thought he had more muscles than brain. With 127 Hours, Franco proved them all wrong. He lifts the film to his shoulders and gives an acting recital by shouting, crying, cursing and hallucinating. Eventually, he creates a terrific portrayal of extreme sport athlete, Aaron Ralston. Director Danny Boyle (Trainspotting) manages to keep us hooked from the very first second of the film and builds the tension even more when Aaron gets trapped with his arm stuck under a rock. The film also features a great score by A.R. Rahman (Liberation In A Dream). Only disadvantage may be that before Boyle blows us away with the finale, he slows the tension down and the film become a bit slow.

VERDICT: A great and very intense film with a terrific performance by James Franco.

SCORE: 4/5
Trailer: