Movie Review: "12 Years A Slave" Is An Instant American Classic That Is As Tragic As It Is Beautiful.

12 Years A Slave

Director: Steve McQueen
Cast: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano, and Brad Pitt.
Rated R for violence/cruelty, some nudity and brief sexuality.

12 Years A Slave is a harsh, brutal, tragic, and powerfully moving true story that is acted and filmed by the greatest of talent and skill. In 1993, Steven Spielberg showed the world the horrific events of the Holocaust. Now, in 2013, director Steve McQueen (no, not the iconic actor) has done the same with this quintessential film on slavery. It is the darkest chapter in American history and this story does not hide the ugly truth of man's inhumanity to man.


This is the true account of Solomon Northup, a free black man living in 19th century New York. A skilled violin player, Solomon is tricked into taking a job with a couple of entertainers only to be drugged, kidnapped, and unjustly sold into slavery. For twelve years, Solomon must endure the brutalities of slavery, waiting for his opportunity to return to his wife and children as the free man he is.

Steve McQueen has done something special and memorable with his best film to date. He wants audiences to know what really happened during this time, particularly what happened to Solomon Northup. McQueen takes his time telling this amazing true event and he is not afraid to let the camera linger on scenes that are hard to watch. None of this is easy to witness, but it is important that you see it. This is one of those films that is meant to educate and give perspective; it is unflinching in its portrayal. Nobody wants to see the horrors that Solomon endured, but we should not live in ignorance. McQueen makes sure of that.

The film is beautifully filmed and acted. Chiwetel Ejiofor has been acting for some time now, mostly in supporting roles, but here he is the star, and his performance is the best of the year. I can assuredly declare that he should be the man to beat for the Oscar of Best Actor. Everyone in the supporting cast is just superb, most notably Michael Fassbender as the sadistic slave owner, Edwin Epps. Fassbender is a force to be reckoned with and can do so much with just his eyes. The tension is palpable in scenes that Fassbender and Ejiofor share together. The score by Hans Zimmer is both haunting and beautiful. It is subtle work from the prolific composer, but powerfully effective.

Everything in this film is top notch. It is sure to receive numerous award nominations in all major categories, and it deserves to win them all. This is a film that all should see. You're gonna hate what is happening on screen and you will want to look away, but this is an important part of history that must be told. Solomon Northup's story is equivalent to that of Job in the Old Testament. What an amazing man, and I am honored to have seen his story.

RATING: A+