Danny Boyle’s 127 Hours Review Thread (Spoilers)

[Diesel]

A couple days ago it was reported that Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire, Trainspotting, 28 Days Later) had found his next film project, 127 Hours, a story of Aron Ralston, the mountain climber who amputated his own arm to free himself after being trapped by a boulder for nearly five days. Indiewire had a chance to talk to the filmmaker at the BAFRA Brittania Awards, and Boyle confirmed that Slumdog Millionaire writer Simon Beaufoy has not yet started the screenplay, which will be based on Boyle’s treatment.

But the big news tidbit to come out of the conversation is how he plans to shoot the film. Boyle intends to film the first hour of the movie with no dialogue. In the true life story, Ralston was completely alone, stuck in the canyon. And Boyle will not be introducing and vollyball tricks ala Tom Hanks in Castaway. The film will have to rely on the non-dialogue acting strength of whatever late-20’s/early-30-year-old actor who gets cast in the role.

Also, Boyle claims that the film “has no green light or budget,” although one would assume that the Oscar winner will have no trouble finding those once he has a completed script. The original report sais that Boyle is hoping to start shooting in March 2010, and that Fox Searchlight wants to release it by the end of that year for awards season.

[drobswim13]

I am pretty intrigued by this. I think it is always great when actors can pull their characters off through behavior only. Sounds like a good idea, but one that will take a great actor.

[Jack Torrance]

I'm always excited for any Danny Boyle or project from his DNA films... though I wish they would just get cracking on JUDGE DREDD.

[jhiggy23]

With the first hour having no dialogue, I worry about how well the film will do financially, but for me it is not an issue at all since I generally have patience in watching films. Based on the story, this is the way to do it because that is how it really was.

[tbizzle]

I love the no dialogue part, looking forward to this.

[Rob J in WNY]

If done well, the first hour will be excellent (IMHO), but it wouldn't be a bit surprising if it doesn't become a polarizing aspect of this movie.

Silence is golden.

[Secretagentnumber6]

Anyone this sounds good to should definitely watch the semidocumentary Touching the Void. It is about two mountain climbers who get into the situation that no one wants, one of them falls and the other one in order to survive has to cut him loose, however the guy who falls survives with broken legs and has to find a way out. It is a true story also and a great semi doc.

This movie sounds great too.

[moothemagiccow]

Originally Posted by drobswim13

I am pretty intrigued by this. I think it is always great when actors can pull their characters off through behavior only. Sounds like a good idea, but one that will take a great actor.

...ever heard of Charlie Chaplin?

[Blu-Malibu2009]

Originally Posted by Secretagentnumber6

Anyone this sounds good to should definitely watch the semidocumentary Touching the Void. It is about two mountain climbers who get into the situation that no one wants, one of them falls and the other one in order to survive has to cut him loose, however the guy who falls survives with broken legs and has to find a way out. It is a true story also and a great semi doc.

This movie sounds great too.

I think one of my college professors showed Touching the Void to my class. It was great. Tough to watch due to the obstacles faced by the main characters, but very well-executed.

[nathanp]

A film with no dialogue for lengths of time can definitely work, it certainly did in There Will Be Blood, and a director like Danny Boyle should also be able to pull it off.

[Psychonaut]

Originally Posted by nathanp

A film with no dialogue for lengths of time can definitely work, it certainly did in There Will Be Blood, and a director like Danny Boyle should also be able to pull it off.

It worked well in Spring, Summer, Winter, Fall... and Spring as well.

[joenostalgia23]

Wall-E.
this movie should work fine. If kids can sit through a whole dialogue-less hour, adult audiences should too.

[andyman1970]

I'm thinking Zac Efron or Justin Timberlake could pull this off.

I think There Will Be Blood went like 30 minutes with out dialog didn't it?

[Moviefan1203]

The word around the campfire is that Ryan Gosling is circling the project, that's the type of casting that will immediately pull a lot of interest into this film. He's one talented dude.

[drobswim13]

Originally Posted by moothemagiccow

...ever heard of Charlie Chaplin?

i'm trying to figure out if this is an insult or not, but i'll try not to take it as one. Silent films are a bit different, however, because you cannot hear them speaking, but you know what they are saying. This, in my mind, is different in the sense that you will only be able to hear the animalistic noises of a human trying to find a way out of the situation. In my mind, it should make for an interesting time.

[thecroshow]

Originally Posted by andyman1970

I'm thinking Zac Efron or Justin Timberlake could pull this off.

I think There Will Be Blood went like 30 minutes with out dialog didn't it?

there will be blood...was...hmm 15 minutes without dialogue? it worked very well

i get excited for anything involving danny boyle

[P@t_Mtl]

They should not pick me as an actor nor a good 90% of the world population. Even when alone we will talk out loud, it's human nature to do so. I doubt very much that the main character spend his whole time not talking as the event took place for real. I sure know even alone stuck on a mountain and wounded I would still talk out loud to myself.

[DBLN8]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

They should not pick me as an actor nor a good 90% of the world population. Even when alone we will talk out loud, it's human nature to do so. I doubt very much that the main character spend his whole time not talking as the event took place for real. I sure know even alone stuck on a mountain and wounded I would still talk out loud to myself.

Me too..

[1blufan]

Quest For Fire !!


Also very funny story about Aron Ralston and Chuck Palahniuk (author of Fight Club)

Chuck was touring the U.S. for his book Haunted. Aron was also touring for his book and was hitting the same stores as Chuck just a few days ahead of him. If you've ever been to or heard about a Chuck signing you know he likes to throw things out to the audience. Meat air freshners, hamburger chew toys,fake roses etc. etc.
With Chuck doing a large tour and traveling all over the U.S. he mails the stores the items he will be giving/throwing out to the crowd before he gets there so he doesn't have to lug around 200 boxes.
Aron showed up to one of his signings and a employee had a box waiting for him. The employee,who had already opened the box thought it was for Aron because of what it contained. Aron pulled out from the box a bunch of severed arms and legs. Aron thought it was funny, and told the employee so far almost every store i've been to during my tour has had a few of these boxes and for some odd reason they all think it's for my event.



I actually met Aron Ralston a few days before Chuck for his book and he was very cool and down to earth. He mentioned briefly about the boxes but didn't say who the boxes belonged to. It wasn't until Chuck's event that I was able to put it all together, but by then Chuck was already telling us the story behind the severed limbs and Aron. He did say Aron was completely cool with it and thought it was funny. Chuck is a very nice guy and wouldn't do something like this on purpose. Total odd coincidence

[Q?]

I've read Aron Ralston and it's one intense book!
I really look forward to this and the no dialogue excites me even more.
I hope they include the bit were he's chased by a bear or are they going to leave out the "flashbacks"?