Saturday, December 14, 2013

12 YEARS A SLAVE REVIEW

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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