eng 2

1. SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING AND DESIGN
THE DESIGN SCHOOL
FOUNDATION IN NATURAL BUILD ENVIRONMENT
NAME: ADELE LU KHAI SYN
STUDENT ID NO: 0323151
FILMS SELECTED: DISASTER: THE IMPOSSIBLE AND
ADVENTURE: 127 HOURS
WORD COUNT: 940
ENGLISH 2 (ELG 30605)
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT 1: COMPARE – CONTRAST ESSAY
LECTURER: GOPIGHANTAN MYLVAGANAM
SUBMISSIONDATE: DECEMBER 4TH
2015

2. THE CONTRAST BETWEEN THE IMPOSSIBLE AND 127 HOURS
As movies have turned into a huge form of entertainment with the rapid advancement
of technology in this brand new era, many different genres of films are being produced each
and every year. Film genres are various forms or identifiable types, categories, classifications
or groups of films that are recurring and have similar. Of all the film genres, disaster and
adventure films have seemed to catch my attention because of its exciting story lines and
amazing on-screen effects. So, what is a disaster film? They refer to impending or ongoing
disaster as its subject and primary plot device. While for adventure films, they are exciting
stories with new experiences or exotic locales. They are also designed to provide an action-
filled, energetic experience for the film viewer. For that I have chosen The Impossible for
my disaster film and 127 hours as my adventure film. These two films are unique in its own
way and have shown a clear contrast in the personalities of the character, the problem faced
and its impact upon their lives and lastly, the settings of the film.
First, I would like to make a contrast on the personalities of the character for both
films. The Impossible, a film based on one family’s true story of survival. I would like to talk
about Lucas the eldest son of the Bennett family is a boy as terrified as he is tenacious, who
must bury his horror and become a young hero who supports his mom to safety at the top of a
tree, screams for help from rescuers, and watches over his sick mother on her bed in a refugee
clinic while, throughout it all, on the brittle edge of his own breakdown. On the other hand, in
127 Hours, an adventure film based on the true survival story of Aron Ralston, a 35 years old
American man who loves to go on adventure trips. However, Aron’s strong passion for his
hobby as an adventurous mountain climber has seemed to put his life off the balance, he did
not realize that he’s been taking his loved ones for granted while planning on his adventurous
trip all alone.
Secondly, the character in each film had experienced different problem faced. In The
Impossible, Lucas faced many families that lost their children, parents, and also their love
ones in the tragedy. Lucas was encouraged to help the other survivors reunite with their
families while his mother was at the hospital. Lucas helps a majority of white European
tourists by compiling lists of the victims’ lost family members. He had a hard time in finding
those victims as the hospital is all crowded with people. When little Daniel was eventually
reunited with his father, this gives Lucas a strong sense of the joy of helping others.
Meanwhile, in 127 Hour, Aron slipped and fell down the chasm when he was heading down a
narrow slot in the Blue John Canyon, dislodging a 360kg chock stone boulder and crushing
down on his right forearm pinning it against the canyon wall. For five and a half days, he
struggled hard to get himself free from all the tragedy, until he was forced to do the
unthinkable. Using a blunt knife from his multi-tool, he began dismembering his arm.
In addition, the impacts of struggle upon the character’s life in both films are distinct.
In The Impossible, Lucas came the longest way throughout the film. He starts off as a typical
pre-teen boy, a bit full of himself and wanting his alone time. While he was nursing his
mother back to health, however, he gained a strong sense of love for his family and those

3. around him that he didn’t seem to have before. As for 127 hours, Aron began hallucinating
when he was on the border of giving up his life. He realized that he has so much to say to the
people he loved around him before his life was drawn to an end. He regretted for not
returning his mother’s calls, regretted for not telling anyone his whereabouts and regretted for
taking his love ones for granted.
Lastly, the different settings are shown in each film. For The Impossible, the disaster
took place at Khao Lak Orchid Beach Resort, Phang Nga, Thailand. A great place for a
family to spend Christmas together but it turns out to be a tragedy that will forever be kept in
the heart where they got caught in the destruction and chaotic aftermath of the 2004 Indian
Ocean tsunami. Meanwhile, For 127 Hour, the adventure took place at Blue John Canyons, a
beautiful place in which when the sun goes down on the canyon land, it baths the vast rock
formations and caverns in a deep red glow. However, it could also be a terrifying place
because a scream for help would have been swallowed with echoes during the day while a cry
for help would only be met with silence when it’s the close of day.
In a nutshell, the uniqueness for each film is clearly shown through the contrast in
personalities of the character, the struggles faced, its impact and also the settings of the
specific film. Both films have not failed in delivering an in-depth message and inspiring life
lessons to the audiences. The indefatigability and determination in seeking for survival and
the sense of regret portrayed by both the character itself has cast a reflection upon me and
brought me to moments of deep in thought. Lastly, I would like to say that these two films are
great films which are able to touch people’s hearts and bring about an inner-thought about
life.

4. References
Bayona, J. (Director). (2012). The Impossible [Motion picture]. Thailand.
Colson, C. & Smithson, J. (Producer), & Boyle, D. (Director). (2010). 127 Hours [Motion
Picture]. United States & United Kingdom: Fox Searchlight Pictures.
Hannaford, A. (2011). 127 Hours: Aron Ralston's story of survival. Telegraph.co.uk.
Retrieved November 27, 2015, from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/8223925/127-
Hours- Aron-Ralstons-story-of-survival.html
Secher, B. (2013). The Impossible: Real-life disaster movie. Retrieved November 29, 2015,
from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/9769913/The-Impossible-real-life-disaster-
movie.html