Steve Reviews 12 Years a Slave

When this film debuted at the Telluride Festival in August, it immediately shot to the top of many lists. (You know how we in America love lists.) After showing in Toronto a week later, it was anointed the Best Picture favorite. This kind of hype can really ruin a movie for me. I hate being told there's a "movie to beat," because it almost always ends up not being as good as I wanted it to be. It happens every year.

As an avid "I really hope the trailer doesn't spoil the whole movie for me again" person, I was hesitant. I had seen the trailer more than once, (not by choice) and I was convinced it was going to be Roots meets Cast Away in a cheesy, preachy, slavery-is-bad kind of movie. I had already seen The Butler, so I really didn't need another one of those.

The film stars Chiwetel Ejiofor (CHEW-i-tell. EJ-i-oh-fore) as Soloman Northrup, the real-life person this story is based on. In fact, it was Northrup's own book, written in 1853 that this is an adaptation of. Yes, 1853. Northrup was a respected, free, black man living in New York who was kidnapped and sold into slavery. He survived 12 years (spoiler alert!) as a Louisiana slave before being rescued.

It's fascinating to go to the cinema and actually learn a thing or two about the history of the USA in an age when Google is available in everyone's pocket. I was aware of the idea of slave kidnapping, but I hadn't given it much thought until I sat in that theatre. On a related note, it's impossible to know exactly what happened at any given point in time unless you were there. That being said, I believe director Steve McQueen captured what slave life was like in Louisiana before the Civil War. Granted, he had Mr. Northrup's own words to guide him, but the film is tragically beautiful.

As you may recall from my previous writings, we have all seen movies that try to teach us Black History and fail to strike a nerve. I can't stand when film-makers try to send a message. Sure, every director has an agenda, but instead of telling me what it is, just make a good damn film and let the message unfold itself. 12 Years a Slave did this. We start with an "everyday American," like you and me, who is thrust into an unthinkable situation. It only gets worse for the character and you, the viewer, when you know the truth and you see his struggle. It's sympathy at the most artful level. Mr. Northrup goes through hell, and McQueen doesn't hold back. By the time it was over, I felt disgusted in the old "American Way" and amazed by the talents of the cast and crew.

I will say that the film deserves the attention it's getting. I predict 11 nominations come January. Easily, it will make the Best Picture, Director, & Actor nomination lists. Michael Fassbender is wonderful in a supporting role, and he will likely get noticed (if not win). A gal by the name of Lupita Nyong'o turned in a great supporting performance, so add her in. The adapted screenplay is likely to get some attention too, so that brings us to 6. The cinematography and editing actually took my breath away at times. There are several action shots in the film that last a minute or more, and any film-maker will tell you how hard that is to pull off. Those 2 bring my nom list to 8. I'll throw in costumes, production design, and a score by Hans Zimmer to total 11 nominations. As for how many wins? I'm not ready to say just yet, but I bet it fares better than The Color Purple did.When this film debuted at the Telluride Festival in August, it immediately shot to the top of many lists. (You know how we in America love lists.) After showing in Toronto a week later, it was anointed the Best Picture favorite. This kind of hype can really ruin a movie for me. I hate being told there's a "movie to beat," because it almost always ends up not being as good as I wanted it to be. It happens every year.

As an avid "I really hope the trailer doesn't spoil the whole movie for me again" person, I was hesitant. I had seen the trailer more than once, (not by choice) and I was convinced it was going to be Roots meets Cast Away in a cheesy, preachy, slavery-is-bad kind of movie. I had already seen The Butler, so I really didn't need another one of those.

The film stars Chiwetel Ejiofor (CHEW-i-tell. EJ-i-oh-fore) as Soloman Northrup, the real-life person this story is based on. In fact, it was Northrup's own book, written in 1853 that this is an adaptation of. Yes, 1853. Northrup was a respected, free, black man living in New York who was kidnapped and sold into slavery. He survived 12 years (spoiler alert!) as a Louisiana slave before being rescued.

It's fascinating to go to the cinema and actually learn a thing or two about the history of the USA in an age when Google is available in everyone's pocket. I was aware of the idea of slave kidnapping, but I hadn't given it much thought until I sat in that theatre. On a related note, it's impossible to know exactly what happened at any given point in time unless you were there. That being said, I believe director Steve McQueen captured what slave life was like in Louisiana before the Civil War. Granted, he had Mr. Northrup's own words to guide him, but the film is tragically beautiful.

As you may recall from my previous writings, we have all seen movies that try to teach us Black History and fail to strike a nerve. I can't stand when film-makers try to send a message. Sure, every director has an agenda, but instead of telling me what it is, just make a good damn film and let the message unfold itself. 12 Years a Slave did this. We start with an "everyday American," like you and me, who is thrust into an unthinkable situation. It only gets worse for the character and you, the viewer, when you know the truth and you see his struggle. It's sympathy at the most artful level. Mr. Northrup goes through hell, and McQueen doesn't hold back. By the time it was over, I felt disgusted in the old "American Way" and amazed by the talents of the cast and crew.

I will say that the film deserves the attention it's getting. I predict 11 nominations come January. Easily, it will make the Best Picture, Director, & Actor nomination lists. Michael Fassbender is wonderful in a supporting role, and he will likely get noticed (if not win). A gal by the name of Lupita Nyong'o turned in a great supporting performance, so add her in. The adapted screenplay is likely to get some attention too, so that brings us to 6. The cinematography and editing actually took my breath away at times. There are several action shots in the film that last a minute or more, and any film-maker will tell you how hard that is to pull off. Those 2 bring my nom list to 8. I'll throw in costumes, production design, and a score by Hans Zimmer to total 11 nominations. As for how many wins? I'm not ready to say just yet, but I bet it fares better than The Color Purple did.

-Steve
11.5.2013