TIFF 2013: 12 Years a Slave (2013)
Illuminated by the dazzling and substantially detailed imagery typically associated with up-and-coming director Steve McQueen, in addition to a slew of electrifying, immensely powerful performances. “12 Years a Slave” is ironically every bit as watchable as it is difficult to witness. Anchored by a true story so harrowing and unbelievable that it’s hard to acknowledge the source material as fact. It is a tale surrounding abduction, inhumanity, and slavery, and is without question not for the squeamish or faint-hearted. That being said, its content, although delicate, is extremely important and should be absorbed and remembered by all those with a shred of compassion. Very rarely does a film triumph not only as a motion picture, but as a piece of history come alive. “12 Years a Slave” is a prime example of this achievement.
Of course, we’d all like to forget what is easily one of our species shadiest, most ignorant times. Which can be grounds for the reason why there are so little films of any real substance regarding this subject. It’s a shame considering how vital the mistakes we make are to our insight and progression. Thankfully, the director of “12 Years a Slave” Steve McQueen has provided a veritable, unflinching look at what is perhaps humankind’s greatest error. It may not be easy to watch or sit well with those of us who don’t like to be reminded of our weaknesses. To see what we are all capable of when we lose our humanity isn’t pretty after all. However, it is impossible for light to exist without darkness and vice versa. McQueen comprehends this truth fully and displays both valiantly. These opposites might not be balanced throughout, but when faced with the choice, we will always search out the bright spots, no matter how arduous the journey. Positive will always trump negative, no matter how heavily outmatched or discouraged.
PLOT:
Solomon Northup (Ejiofor) is a free black man living with his family in upstate New York. A skilled carpenter and excellent fiddler, Solomon is approached by two men hoping to lure him into accepting a job offer in Washington DC. Upon agreeing and travelling to Washington with the two men. Northup performs as instructed and is paid for his work. One night while out celebrating with his newly found friends, Northup is drugged. Waking up the following day, he slowly comes to the realization that he has been kidnapped and sold into slavery. Transported on a ship to New Orleans, Solomon has no idea how long he will remain captive, or when or if he will ever see his family again.
For a majority of the cinema going public, director Steve McQueen has seemingly rose to these dizzying heights out of no where. But for those of us who have been with the immensely talented director since his inception in 2008 with “Hunger,” his skyrocket to stardom is no surprise. McQueen looks poised to finally garner an Oscar nomination with “12 Years a Slave,” although his previous outings such as the aforementioned “Hunger” and more recently “Shame” are equally as impressive.
One thing McQueen has consistently made apparent throughout his first two full-length features is that his ability to handle uncomfortable material knows no bounds. And with “12 Years a Slave,” McQueen not only maintains his stance, but asserts it with an exclamation point. There was no shortage of questionable, unsettling, hazardous, or even controversial topics for McQueen to tackle while adapting Solomon Northup’s memoir, whether it be violence, racism, slavery, sexual abuse, and so on. With this dramatized biopic, McQueen certainly didn’t cut corners or leave any distressing issues out. He’s managed to put together a disturbing, upsetting, cringe-worthy, endearing epic without compromising the integrity or authenticity of its source material. Although I have to admit, the uplifting moments are undeniably bittersweet.
As impressive and truthful as the adaptation is, thematically and structurally. The film’s technological facets and cinematic aspects are equally astounding. In my opinion, McQueen’s work behind the camera has never been this seamless. The division and pacing of “12 Years a Slave” is remarkably complex and he works it flawlessly. There’s one scene where essentially what McQueen is filming is utter stillness, say for a few minor movements and the vividness he evokes is breathtaking. The colour scheme, panoramic shots, and detailed violence is so faithful and captivating, it practically leaps forth from the screen. I also want to mention the incredible score composed by the masterful Hans Zimmer who continues to churn out masterpieces. If there’s anything in the film that takes the harsh edge off, it’s Zimmer’s atmospheric, enthralling soundtrack.
Now, aside from the lead role of Solomon Northup, portrayed by Chiwetel Ejiofor, “12 Years a Slave” is very much the beneficiary of a superlative group effort. The film oozes with outstanding performances from its entire ensemble. Which, in addition to Ejiofor features Benedict Cumberbatch, Michael Fassbender, Sarah Paulson, Paul Giamatti, Scoot McNairy, Taram Killam, Brad Pitt, Paul Dano, and Lupita Nyong’o. And luckily for those who can’t stomach the violence, inhumanity, or the film’s content as a whole. The performances throughout “12 Years a Slave” are alone worth the price of admission.
Without any doubt, Chiwetel Ejiofor shines brightest. He completely astounds with an enthralling, mesmerizing, heartbreaking performance full of emotion and a thirst for life. I would be completely flabbergasted if Ejiofor does not at least earn an Oscar Nomination for best actor with his performance here. That being said, he certainly isn’t the only actor in “12 Years a Slave” who appears to have punched their ticket to the Academy Awards. I feel that Michael Fassbender and Lupita Nyong’o are sure-shots to be nominated in the supporting actor categories. Both are just amazing, pure scene-stealers. Benedict Cumeberbatch, although remarkable when on screen, is a long-shot to earn a nomination for “12 Years a Slave,” especially considering all the other incredible performances his given so far this year. Finally, the other members of this immaculate supporting cast, Pitt, Paulson, McNairy. Killam, Dano, and Giamatti deserve a great amount of recognition.
When a film has Oscar written all over it, much like Steve McQueen’s “12 Years a Slave” does, it’s usually for good reason. Trust me, this is one of the best of the year and is a must see, cinephile or not.
12 Years a Slave: 9.5 out of 10.
Posted on September 19, 2013, in Drama and tagged Cumberbatch, Dano, Drama, Ejiofor, Fassbender, Giamatti, Killam, McNairy, McQueen, Nyong'o, Paulson, Pitt. Bookmark the permalink. 35 Comments.
DUDE!!!! You’re on a roll! Another superb review and another movie I can’t wait to see. Bravo, Joe! 🙂
LOL, thanks so much! Means a lot, I work really hard on my reviews. This was another phenomenal movie I caugt at TIFF. I was lucky enough to catch a lot of my most anticipated movies of the year. By far though, Gravity and 12 Years a Slave were the two best films I saw at the festival. Thanks again!
It clearly shows that you work so hard on your reviews. Now we’ll just have to discuss this movie too! Need to visit TIFF in the coming years too. 🙂
Definitely need to come up to TIFF so we can catch a couple flicks and write about them. Would be tons of fun!
That would be awesome for sure! Maybe next year. 🙂
When’s The Sacrament coming out already???
Lol, I promise I will post The Sacrament review next week. I will tell you that it was really good, caught me off guard. Sleeper hit of the festival :).
Fantastic!
Joseph, you’re a beast. Great, great review. Cannot wait!!!
Thanks Nick! Really appreciate it :). Can’t wait to read what you think about this one!
Nice review. You’re seeing lots of great sounding films; I shall have to console myself that they’ll be released over here eventually… I guess I worried in advance that this might have that earnest Oscar-baiting meaningfulness (read: boring) that, say, Amistad had, so I’m glad to hear it’s so great. Definitely looking forward to catching up with it. PS I still don’t get Cumberbatch’s appeal.
Thanks! Hopefully the films will get there soon so you can check them out :). I kind of worried about it intentionally Oscar hunting, but it’s Steve McQueen and I love his work, one of my all time favourite directors. If you haven’t checked out Hunger and Shame, you should! Well, if you don’t like Cumberbatch, I’m the wrong person to talk to. I’m most likely the only male Cumber-bitch. I’d turn gay for him lol. Love everything he does and everything he is in.
Solid review. Another movie I can’t wait to see.
Thanks so much! One of the best flicks of the year, definitely check it out :).
Wonderful review. I bet this is going to be a challenging, yet immensely rewarding viewing. I greatly look forward to it.
“However, it is impossible for light to exist without darkness and vice versa” — Stroke of genius right there man, love it.
Thanks! So happy to hear you enjoyed my review :). Definitely a difficult film to tackle, but like you said, extremely rewarding!
Can’t wait to see this. Another fantastic write up
Thank you very much!
Great review! So jealous you got to see it already. One of my most anticipated of the year, mainly because of the amazing cast! Didn’t know Taran Killam was in it!
Thanks Fernando! It was also one of my most anticipated flicks of the year. It truly is amazing, especially the cast. I knew Killam was in it, but didn’t know how big his role was. Although it’s fairly small, he is terrific. Love him on SNL and happy to see him expanding into serious cinema.
Looking forward to seeing him in the movie, then. I think about him in this clip and it cracks me up every time!
http://vimeo.com/64001850
Not to mention he also does killer Brad Pitt and Michael Cera impressions.
Rapunzel, Rapunzel, burn that dress…ah ha ha.” Gets me every time! His Pitt impression is amazing! love his Cera as well!
Hilarious! Looking forward to seeing him in a dramatic role.
This is definitely something I have to see and cannot wait to see. And damn, I’m jealous of you getting to go to TIFF! Great review, man.
Thanks! Don’t be jealous, you’ll get to see it soon enough :).
this is one of my most anticipated movies for the year, nice work
Thanks! It’s on a lot of cinephiles most anticipated, feel so grateful I got to see it :).
I can’t wait to see this. I absolutely loved Hunger and Shame, so this is probably my most anticipated of the year, although it might be hitting early next year over here. Glad to see McQueen has another hit on his hands.
Same here, Hunger and Shame are outstanding flicks! Hopefully you get to check it out soon, it really is something :).
Nice Review, I am more than ready for this to hit the UK. Cant wait.
Thanks! It’s really quite the film, can’t wait to hear your thoughts on it :).
Another fantastic review. And this time we completely agree. 🙂
Thanks! Happy to hear we agree!
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