It is supposed to be just another weekend for Aron Ralston (Franco) who loves hiking in the rocky mountains. Once outside the busy city life, it’s all about him, his backpack and the bicycle. On that fateful day after leading two girls to an underground lake, he slips and falls into a canyon.

To make matter worst, a boulder lands on top of his arm trapping him. Aron, for 127 hours, jingles his time with family, friends and the chance of survival. A painful decision must to be taken in order to survive.

The film is a one-man journey into the tunnel of death and how he made it through. Director Danny Boyle (of “Slumdog Millionaire” fame) likes to keep the pace of the film moderate and at the same time keeps the audience on the edge with his brilliant camera work.

He even turns a water bottle into artistic object most sought after with close up shots. Another strong point of the film is a strong cinematography and clever editing.

Boyle maybe considered too extravaganza in the treatment of the subject but a film has to be interested and most of all entertaining.  A R Rahman’s music also resonates beautifully through the grand canyon with sounds of awe and hope.

Oscar nominee Franco proves that he is not just an eye candy for ladies as his strong performance helps moviegoers laugh, grind, sad and elated.  Hope never dies and 127 hours of pain and agony is reduced to nothing when heroism and bravery work together to get a man out of the gutter. “127 Hours” is a refreshingly brilliant survival drama.