127 Hours: Harrowing, meaningful adventure

Written by Mark Schumann, Father of Three
Thursday, 10 February 2011 11:58

Each week, the Reel Dad checks the nutritional value of a movie — new or classic — to help parents choose what to watch. This week’s pick is a nominee for the Academy Award as Best Picture, 127 Hours.

Our older children may, at times, roll their eyes when we say, “please be safe,” or “let me know where you are going,” or “give me a call when you get there.” As parents, we want them to experience, but we need our kids to protect themselves.

I can’t imagine what Aron Ralston’s parents must have felt when, at first, they could not find their son; later, when they learned what he had experienced; and, more recently, if they watched the film version of Aron’s harrowing adventure in the Oscar-nominated 127 Hours. While the movie brings any parent’s nightmare to life, it ultimately offers a meaningful and inspirational tale of true heroism.

Aron Ralston loves life. He absorbs every moment, each interaction, any experience. That leads him, as we learn in the film’s opening, to think nothing of heading to canyons near Moab, Utah, for a weekend of cycling and hiking. It never crosses his mind to let his parents know where he is going, what he plans, when he will return. After all, he is over 21, with aspirations to be an engineer, and responsible for his life.

And then the accident happens. While hiking, he slips, a rock falls and, suddenly, Aron is trapped in a crevice with no way out. At first, like young men we may know, he makes light of the challenge; later, as time passes, he uses his limitless resourcefulness to pursue various attempts to escape. Ultimately, as he fully realizes the severity of his situation, he confronts the recklessness of his exuberance and resolves to live another day. But he still has to get out.

Danny Boyle, the Oscar-winning director of Slumdog Millionaire, brings a visual authenticity to a story that could, in less able hands, be overly repetitive or obviously saccharine. Boyle enhances what is, essentially, a one-man show with creatively realized views into Aron’s life and aspirations. He uses the camera to explore what Aron may be feeling, fearing and hoping for, without resorting to standard movie flashbacks that could undermine the authenticity.

What makes the film work, ultimately, is the power of James Franco’s performance. With the screen to himself for most of the film, he never resorts to the hammy tricks of Tom Hanks in the similar, yet artificial, Cast Away. Franco is real, moving and engaging. He makes us root for him to be victorious in a battle with nature that seems impossible.

Franco’s performance is an ideal collection of small moments. He perfectly captures the youthful belief that anything is possible even when facing the opposite. He never stoops to cheap movie dramatics, does not deliver any revealing monologues we only see in the movies, and resists any tendency to overplay the emotional potential of any situation. Franco simply is. He becomes the son we care we for, the brother we love, the friend we enjoy. And that only makes us care more for how the story resolves.

When we choose films to share with our children, we should be as careful as when we select what foods they eat. Some movies are nutritious; some are junk. Some satisfy; others leave an aftertaste. Some are delightful memories; others give us heartburn.

127 Hours is an nutritious film to share. Don’t let your knowledge of the story cause you to hesitate. You can use this film to generate a meaningful conversation with your older children about safety, preparation and caring. And, next time you ask them to “call home when you get there,” they may not roll their eyes. And call home when they safely arrive.

Film Nutritional Value

127 Hours

* Content: High. Aron Ralston’s perseverance during an impossible chapter in his life can inspire anyone to overcome what accidents may occur.

* Entertainment: High. Despite the seriousness of the content, James Franco’s performance is so endearing the film emerges highly entertaining.

* Message: High. This nutritious film offers strong messages to older children about staying safe, and letting your parents know how to find you, and to parents about letting our children experience life.

* Relevance: High. Any opportunity to inspire older children to prepare themselves for the adventures they want to pursue is important.

* Opportunity for Dialogue: High. After you share this film, talk with your older children about what preventive measures to take every day.

(127 Hours is rated R for language and some disturbing violent content and bloody images. The film runs 94 minutes.)

5 Popcorn Buckets

Find out why cialis super active , and much more. Online pharmacy, viagra gold , low prices.