127 Hours

127 Hours by Danny Boyle and Simon Beaufoy.

Of course since this isn't a Hollywood movie it's outstanding. I read while I was on vacation that people were vomiting and fainting but this could only have been an exaggeration as there is nothing more gruesome than one's imagination. People who faint at the sight of blood won't want to see this. But the script does an excellent job of preparing you.

The documentary "Touching The Void" was actually more disturbing, though it was more of a Nat Geo TV re-enactment. This is very much a movie -- both tragic and moving because it earns its happiness. By the time he gets to his 120th hour (I don't know how long it actually took to amputate and the movie doesn't tell us), you feel as trapped as he is, and almost angry at the arm that had the stupidity to get stuck.

Some great moments -- J.F.'s looked of surprise and disbelief when his hand first gets pinned between the rock and the wall of the canyon. It's always interesting when a character doesn't act like we expect them to and the look of this cock-certain boy was one of, "This doesn't happen to me." In fact, it's his pride that makes it a tragedy (all tragedies for that matter) and one of the greater parts of the movie is when he comes to realize how this accident is really more of a destiny he created. Another wonderful surprise is the moment when his forearm actually pops off and J.F. realizes that he's freed himself at great cost.

Because he knew after the first 24 hours that his hand was lost (his thumb, which was the only part he could see, was black), he is unsentimental about cutting it off -- just frustrated because his only tool is a dull blade. But the finish of the movie is what really makes it a great one; the 3rd act, as they put it and I would even add, the second part of the 3rd act. Cutting off his arm is what he does to save himself and how he gets out of his lowest point (he was nearly dead). But it's the final lines of the movie that are really moving: "Help me," he screams, but it's a scream for help that is absolutely triumphant.

4 1/2 stars