Every few years, a movie comes out that one must see not
just because its well done but rather due to its weight. This list would
include Schindler’s List, Amistad and their ilk. 12 Years A Slave deserves to
join this list.
The movie 12 Years A
Slave is based upon the autobiographical book of the same name by Solomon
Northup. It chronicles the true-life
story of Northup’s kidnapping and subsequent 12 years spent enslaved in South.
Northup was a freeman of the North who lived in Saratoga NY. He had a family
and vocation before he journeyed to Washington DC where he was captured,
ransomed and sold to a plantation owners in the Southern United States.
12 Years a Slave
is the rare movie where everything is perfect because every little detail
presented is important. The use of
audio-effects in this movie is unique compared to others I have seen in a long
time. From the sounds of the tuning of a violin to the sound a whip makes and
impacted on skin, you will experience every sound in context because it has
meaning. For me, its been a very long time since I noticed every noise in a
film without getting annoyed by their seemingly artificial addition to every
scene. Here, the sounds amplified and flawlessly natural.
The use of panoramic shots was also very impressive. The viewer gets the idea that the fault for
the sin of slavery was a global issue and not isolated to the life of Northup.
Director McQueen’s shots and angles showed it was a time when not just one
group turned a blind eye to the plight of the other but when the slaves also
turned ignored injustice for survive.
The movie is full of Cameos from actors whom I am sure they
didn’t ask to be paid for their time. From Benedict Cumberbach, Alfre Woodard,
Paul Dano and Paul Giamati to Brad Pitt and Michael Fassbender. Some appear for mere minutes or a few scenes
in the film but you almost don’t notice them their “star power” they just fit.
As I started this post, I believe this movie to be very much
like Spielberg’s Schindler's List.
This will not be a movie I will own or possibly see more than 2-3 more times
but it left an impact. It told a story not always understood because of its
complexity and the sensitivity of the subject matter. I will say, this will be a much-deserved Best
Motion Picture for the Golden Globes and Oscars. I give this movie 5 out of 5 stars.
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