Movie Review – 12 Years a Slave
Genre: Biography, Drama, History
Director: Steve McQueen
Starring: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Kenneth Williams, Michael Fassbender
Release Year: 2013
Opinion
Set in some of the darkest days of American history tells a remarkable story full of horrors, brutality, courage, hope, helpnessness and longing. It is exceptionally cast, beautifully acted, perfectly paced and filled with strong moments. At the risk of contradicting myself, the only weak link seems to be Chiwetel Ejiofor’s one dimensional acting that further oversimplifies the one dimensional character he plays.
While the movie establishes a powerful connection with its above said strong moments, looking back at it might seem a little exploitative which tries too hard to add a sentimental value around every possible scene. However the movie is elevated with a near perfect performance by Michael Fassbender who epitomizes all the evils associated to slavery with his hellish expressions and some of his actions adding to uncomfortable viewing.
Synopsis
Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor) is a free black man in the north who has a bumbling career, a comfortable home, loving wife and kids and respect in the society. His world turns upside down when he gets abducted, shipped away to the south and pushed to slavery without a means to contact his family or friends. He gets crushed into his own shell as his identity, skills and education becomes a threat to his life. His misery gets compounded when an unavoidable circumstance leads him to sadistic and volatile ‘Master’ Epps (Michael Fassbender) leaving his empathizing current ‘Master’ Ford (Benedict Cumberbatch). He is now called Platt, a cotton farmer and an occasional fiddle player who cries to sleep everyday ruing his fate and missing his family.
Review
While the movie succeeds in presenting the horrors and brutality of slavery, the USP of this movie lies in projecting the upliftment of human spirit where I think it failed to an extent especially with Ejiofor’s single expression throughout. Another powerful performance of a tormented slave between her master’s lust and mistress’s jealousy as Patsey by Lupita Nyong’o commands a mention. But the showstopper performance is by Michael Fassbender as he evokes “Daniel Plainview” from “There will be blood” filled with ego, unpredictability and violent tendancies. The authenticity factor also take a beating a little bit with some ‘A’ list actors making a cameo around every corner.
Verdict
Uncomfortable viewing experience but it falls short on achieving its ambition. Watch it for Michael Fassbender!!
