Director: Steve McQueen
Writer: John Ridley
Starring: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano, Paul Giamatti, Brad Pitt
Runtime: 133 min
Rating: 18A
Successful films often stick with an audience, lingering in the mind long after the movie has reached its conclusion. Director Steve McQueen’s new work 12 Years a Slave is the kind of film that is impossible to quickly forget. The brutal imagery presented may remain seared in the mind, but it is the powerful and ultimately uplifting story that has the greatest impact. This work is a very important piece of filmmaking, and its tale is one that needs to be told.
12 Years a Slave, based on the memoir of the same name, relates the true and incredible story of Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Eijofor). A free and successful man living in New York with his family, Solomon is kidnapped and sold into slavery in the South. Enduring harsh conditions and brutal abuse at the hands of several slave masters, Solomon is constantly haunted by the memory of his family and the content life that they enjoyed; however, he refuses to submit to intellectual degradation and never allows himself to abandon the hope of reclaiming his freedom. This film demonstrates the perseverance of the human spirit, as it depicts the grueling hardships one ordinary man was willing to endure to survive.
12 Years a Slave is a masterfully crafted work in all areas. The sets are so meticulously created that it is difficult to believe that it is not a real plantation being shown. The music and lighting compliment each scene with care and attention to detail; indeed, the immense power of sound is demonstrated in a drawn-out scene where Solomon is strung up and left to die, and the audience is forced to listen to his suffering for an unbearable length of time. Occasional flashbacks to Solomon’s prior life remind the viewer where he came from and just how far he has fallen when juxtaposed with his current position. Each shot is intricately planned, as the cinematographers decide what exactly to show in each frame. Often, that which is depicted is horrifying and difficult to watch. What makes this film a true masterpiece, however, are the moments when the brutality ceases and the audience is allowed a chance to recuperate. Simple shots of the rising sun, or characters at rest or play, remind an audience that even in a world full of horrors, instances of beauty can always be found.
The performances in this film are highly memorable and do not disappoint. Chiwetel Eijofor presents one of the strongest characters in recent filmic memory, but far from appearing stoic, his performance is emotional and highly resonant. Although Brad Pitt only appears momentarily as the Canadian abolitionist Bass, his kindness and sympathy stand out as a beacon of light in a film full of cruel slavers. These individuals, such as Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Paul Dano, also perform their unsavory parts well, and certainly deserve mention.
12 Years a Slave offers a depiction of extreme helplessness set up against extreme power. This is extremely thorough filmmaking, as all aspects of the work are carefully perfected to every last detail. Although the imagery may often be violent, McQueen never sensationalizes that which he depicts. A brutal movie is necessary to depict brutal subject matter, and two hours of discomfort is nothing when compared to twelve years of slavery. And, as this story is based on fact, an audience can be comforted in their awareness of an uplifting and ultimately redemptive conclusion. In short, a masterpiece.
Photo Credits: Toronto International Film Festival
