Tuesday, July 12, 2011

James Franco…and Ultrarunning


(Image credit here)

Courtesy of our friends at NETFLIX on Sunday night the bride and I just watched 127 Hours (since Breaking Bad doesn’t start for another week!).  Now, many of you are probably cutting edge when it comes to films, seeing new releases in the theaters.  Or if you didn’t, then seeing newly released DVDs immediately.

Well, the bride and I are usually neither.  We only go to the theater maybe 2 or 3 times a year (most recently was for Johnny Depp in some movie about pirates).  And our DVD watching is sporadic—bursts of activity followed by weeks of inactivity.

That said, I wanted to comment upon 127 Hours, the story of Aron Ralston, the outdoor enthusiast who got trapped in a slot canyon in Utah when a small boulder fell, pinning his arm.  After several days and with death by thirst looming, Aron managed to hack off his arm to save his life.

The film was excellent.  This direction and editing was edgy, the music was great, and James Franco was utterly believable as Aron. I’m now thoroughly a James Franco fan.

Oh, and the connection to Ultrarunning? There are several obvious ones: Aron has completed some 100s after the accident.  Of course, always tell someone where you are going in as much specificity as you can (Aron did not).  Carry more water than you think you’ll need.

But the real takeaway for me was redemption: Aron got a do-over.  From the literal brink of death, summoning inner mental and physical resources that amaze me, he survived to live out the rest of his days.

Without sounding preachy, any one of us can get a do-over of our lives, like starting RIGHT NOW, if you wish.  You don’t have to go through a life-threatening experience.

 

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