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| Michael Fassbender, Lupita Nyong'o, and Chiwetel Ejiofor |
Director: Steve McQueen
Stars: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Lupita Nyong'o, Benedict Cumberbatch, Brad Pitt
Genre(s): Biography; Drama; History
Release Date: November 8, 2013
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97%
12 Years a Slave is one of those rare movies that is magnificent yet not one that can be viewed multiple times; it is so masterfully executed, but equally terrifyingly difficult to watch. It more than lives up to the hype, and is currently the top contender for Best Picture at the 2014 Oscars (airing March 2). But, with its scenes of torture, rape, and the like, the film is not exactly cheerful; merely, it presents slavery as it happened, as realistically as can be done, without making it seem less severe or terrible than it was.
12 Years a Slave tells the true story of Solomon Northup, Chiwetel Ejiofor (American Gangster), a free man who had made a great life for himself and his children and wife as a musician (a violinist). He is tricked into slavery -- kidnapped, really -- and is first sent to Master Ford's plantation, played by Benedict Cumberbatch (Star Trek: Into Darkness), whose gentility harshly contrasts with the the countenance of the evil overseer, Tibeats (Paul Dano of Prisoners). Ford is as kind as a plantation owner can possibly be, yet these slightly positive circumstances do not last long, for Solomon picks a fight with Tibeats, and is forced to be sold to another plantation owner. However, this one, Master Epps (X-Men: First Class' Michael Fassbender), makes Ford look like a saint: Epps is Satan in human form, inflicting terrible pain on the slaves for supposed slights that would have seemed trivial to Ford. Epps takes a particular liking to productive slave Patsey (newcomer Lupita Nyong'o), which has horrendous results.
We all know that Solomon will survive, and that he will not be a slave forever, seeing as his novel, 12 Years a Slave, was published a short time after his release; yet, we still fear the hindrances that will prevent his eventual freedom. Clearly, director Steve McQueen -- not to be confused with the late action star of the same name -- knows how to create emotional heft, and gains extraordinary performances from his cast, all of whom deserve recognition for these difficult, draining roles.
As Solomon, Ejiofor is nothing short of astounding, his emotions showcased on his face in every scene; his large eyes convey so much feeling that we can sense what his character is going through. He is currently the one to beat for the Best Actor Oscar, and rightfully so: I cannot imagine a more perfect performance. And let us not forget the amazing Fassbender, who has partnered with McQueen in previous movies (Shame and Hunger); he is nearly unrecognizable in this role, his handsome physique hidden beneath a bushy beard, and his suave British accent hidden beneath a harsh Southern twang. His physical transformation nearly irrelevant, because his scenes with Ejiofor are tremendous and intensely terrifying. Additionally, Nyong'o has been receiving praise for her debut performance, which is all well-deserved: she displays her character's vulnerability so adeptly that it is hard to believe she is new to Hollywood. I need to also mention other strong supporting performances by Sarah Paulson (as Epps' wife), Dano (who seems fit to play a villain), and Cumberbatch (who manages to make a slave owner seem at least slightly likable).
John Ridley's script, based on Northup's novel, is often sparsely populated with dialogue, relying instead on lingering camera angles and making every word that escapes a character's mouth significant. These seem alarming at first, and even uncomfortable at times, but perhaps that is the intention: it emphasizes the cruelty and increases the audience members' catharsis. Hans Zimmer's music is appropriate, but what is more noticeable is the lack of any music in certain scenes, so all one hears is the sound of the actors' actions; and, oftentimes, these sounds are harsh, and therefore need no scoring. Patricia Norris' costumes are authentic to the time period, as is the set design, which both help to put the viewers in the moment.
Honestly, 12 Years a Slave is not exactly the kind of film that cheers you up, but it will make you comfortable, make you cry, make you want to cover your eyes, and wow you with its magnificence. McQueen has raised the bar for the dramatic genre, and proven himself to be a filmmaker whose talent is equivalent to those of the best directors in the world. If this movie does not win Best Picture, I will be incredibly surprised.
Grade: A
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