12 Years a Slave [2013] – ★★★★★
Coming from Steve McQueen (director of Shame (2011)), 12 Years a Slave can now be comfortably described as this year’s cinematic sensation. The film, based on a self-autobiographical novel by Solomon Northup, tells the story of a black free man, who lives a happy family life in Saratoga, New York in 1841. After he is tricked, kidnapped and sold into slavery in the South, his life turns up-side-down, and once brilliant musician and educated family man is now forced to endure an unjust hard life of a slave in Louisiana. The film is truthful to Northump’s novel, and is filled with so much realism that when one of the characters at the end of the film starts talking about freedom and black people’s rights, the audience may find it hard to believe a word he says – so engrossed they have become in the political/social ideology of that time and in black people’s lives on a plantation in Louisiana.
I was initially sceptical about McQueen’s choice of the topic for this film, thinking that much has already been said about the topic of slavery, and thinking it would be hard to reach out and produce something original. And, it would have been difficult to do so, but this is Steve McQueen, a director who does not hide from the difficult, shocking or controversial, and likes to portray things as they are, without any embellishments or omissions. After the director’s underrated Hunger (2008) and provoking Shame, it is a relief to discover that McQueen’s talent is finally dully acknowledged by numerous nominations and awards with 12 Years a Slave. Some even say that 12 Years a Slave set a new standard for realist cinematography, with McQueen and Fassbender pioneering the movement, but it is often sad to point out that such cinematic brilliance has already been set in their previous films (although, maybe on a smaller scale), but, strangely, has gone almost unnoticed. 12 Years a Slave is nominated for 9 Academy Awards this year, and it is a very likely contender to win in the “Best Picture” Category.
Having said that, 12 Years a Slave is probably not a film to watch after a hard day’s work to relax or unwind. Most of its time, the film is hard to watch, and certain scenes will leave the audience rooted to the chair, if not in shock, then in sheer disbelief. It is as though McQueen’s aim was to gain its audience’s full and undivided attention, and he succeeded in that. The director knows exactly how to produce the biggest impact with a controversial topic, and the audience does not even begin to imagine, before the viewing, the sheer force of the impact which 12 Years a Slave is capable of producing. The film is high on realism. 12 Years a Slave watches almost like a documentary, and, as one critic noted: the film is probably “the most important film ever made on the topic of slavery in the US”. After the viewing, it seems that this statement is almost an understatement, considering the sheer amount and quality of detail of a daily life of a slave which is on the display here.
The performances in 12 Years a Slave are nothing short of brave and powerful, and given the context in which they are played out, it is no wonder to hear of nervous breakdowns of actors on the set, for example, as was the case of Williams and Fassbender. In fact, beatings, lynchings, family separations and other degradations all take place in 12 Years a Slave, and if the actors are not completely exhausted by the end of the film, their audience certainly will be. Chiwetel Ejiofor initially refused to accept the lead role, but he gave a truly humane and humble performance of a man who has suffered a gross injustice. Lupita Nyong’o plays a pretty slave girl who becomes the subject of constant attention of her despotic master; and, for a newcomer, Nyong’o’s performance is pure brilliance. In fact, Nyong’o and Ejiofor are both this year’s nominees for the Academy Awards. The film also features Paul Giamatti, Benedict Cumberbatch and Sarah Paulson who are all good in their small roles. If there was a real revelation in the film, however, it was probably Michael Fassbender, who plays Edwynn Epps, a cruel plantation owner of Solomon. As can be seen from film Jane Eyre (2011), Fassbender is capable of portraying arrogance and complete emotional detachment excellently, but his performance in 12 Years a Slave is in a league of its own. Fassbender is so believable in this role of a despotic slave-owner, it is frightening to see him on screen: so unpredictable and terrifying his character’s behaviour is.
As to some negatives, although depressingly realistic scenes are executed powerfully, with lingering shots and the wonderful use of music (composed by Hans Zimmer), they are arguably one too many. It would have been better to include in the midst of all the horror we see some bright and more light-hearted material, but the film is devised in such a way that its audience is never allowed to catch even a moment’s breath. It is also perplexing to hear so much/and see Brad Pitt’s front credits for this film, considering that he only appears in this film for a brief period of time.
12 Years a Slave is a masterpiece. Although the film can provide for a rather uncomfortable and even depressing viewing, it is never short of brilliant in terms of all of its elements, including story, directing, acting, and cinematography. It is high on realism, too: intense, nuanced, and incredibly thought-provoking.
Spotlight on Film 
Amen on all counts. Without question one of the best films I have ever seen, if only because it is not only unflinchingly perfect in the way it addresses slavery, but also not really about slavery, per se. It is about how corrupt systems corrupt people and make us do terrible things to each other. That very thing still happens today – see the Catholic Church protecting pedophiles, suicide bombers, African gangsters’ treatment of civilians, any ethnic cleansing campaign and so many other examples. I have never before seen Systems Theory be so well handled in a piece of fiction.
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Yes, interesting take, though I am not completely shocked by the film’s turn of events – black people at that time are bound to be very vulnerable, whether free or not, and given the climate, ideology and the prevalence of slavery at that time, something like that was bound to happen to some black free man someday.
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No doubt.
But if any of the white kidnappers had actually stopped to think, “By all accounts, these black people I’m apprehending appear to be people. And if they are, is what I’m doing just? Would I do this to a white person?” they would have been appalled, like we are, by their actions. But they never asked such questions, because they lived in a system that told them not to.
Therein is why Cumberbatch’s character is my favorite in this movie. He really does seem like he would have been a good man in a different situation.
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I enjoyed Cumberbatch’s performance in the film. And what about all the rumours about the New York City commissioner’s ancestors being slaves of Cumberbatch’s family? These ‘facts’ came out after the film, like this matters? or they had to justify his involvement in the movie? Cumberbatch also played a prominent role in ‘Amazing Grace’, a good film about the fight against slavery in England.
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I didn’t know about those facts. Interesting.
I did know Cumberbatch was in Amazing Grace.
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Strong review of a very strong movie. Some powerful performances throughout this moving story. I had a few issues with it that kept it from being perfect (I’m looking at you Brad Pitt), but still its a magnificent film!
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Thank you. I have an issue with Brad Pitt too. I am puzzled by his brief appearance. He is surely not there to boost the film’s ‘credentials’. I honestly found him and his acting more than distracting, and other lesser known actor would have done his job just as well, and maybe even better.
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Very nicely argued. I’m sad by the backlash this film has experienced. You can tell it’s awards season can’t you? I honestly feel this film will rise in stature over the next 10-20 years. A true masterpiece.
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Thanks, yes, let’s hope it will 🙂
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I felt like this one was a bit overrated, but if it wins Best Picture, I’d have no problem with that whatsoever. It’s an important movie that should be seen by almost anyone and everyone who thinks that they don’t know all that there is they need to know about slavery. Good review.
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I’m pulling for 12 Years to win Best Picture tonight — it’s easily the best of the year.
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Yes, I definitely expect it to win too. I would be surprised if it didn’t.
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Greatly written review, and you speak nothing but the truth. Perfect score fits the bill! I understand the lack of Pitt, despite the marketing being odd, but we didn’t need for long anyways! Your points about Gravity were music to my ears.
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Thanks for your comment. My points about ‘Gravity’? Really? I am so glad to hear that because with all the recent fuss over ‘Gravity’ and its undeniable ‘brilliance’ I thought I was the only one thinking that.
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Nope, you are not alone. Yes, Gravity was brilliant in the sense of the director having a great vision, and it has terrific CGI. However, the script was lacking, and I found myself bored. What’s worse? The dialogue of Clooney. As he is falling in risk of death, “Don’t I just have the most gorgeous eyes?”. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? haha.
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Yes, haha, that was something, and I do agree with you about the story which is essentially lacking for such a major film; I am one of those people who prefers the quality story over special effects and I think it is very important for the audience to actually believe in what was happening on screen, that’s why what also annoyed me a bit was how they managed to make Clooney’s character this hero of all times, this funny guy who is willing to sacrifice himself for others – that’s fine, but if you look at many of his other films, especially recent ones – he just appeared there a complete and utter cynic. It is very hard to forget this image of his while watching ‘Gravity’, and it is this lack of belief in the dialogue’s genuineness and his real character in ‘Gravity’ which troubled me. That’s why I thought maybe some other actor would have done a better job.
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I agree 100%. I am not a big Clooney fan, and after Gravity, not sure if his name will ever sell me a movie ticket again. Even Doctor Stone was bad when you think about it. Who would let a moron like that into space? I can deal with silliness, but when the movie is blatantly throwing theme after theme, and combining it with headache inducing characters….it was just….not my favorite.
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Great review, such a visceral and powerful movie.
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Great review! I agree, wonderful performances, and a film I won’t forget anytime soon! I really like the movie, but I think it could have shortened a little. For example, there was a scene when it was just the main character’s face staring into space. Nothing was happening, and I think I got the gist of the scene, but it lasted way too long for my taste. Maybe it’s just me, but there were several scenes like that throughout the film that could have shortened, and may have improved the movie even more.
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A really powerful movie that deserves to be seen and praised. Steve McQueen’s made a fantastic job!
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