Unflinching.

Rating: 8/10 (18 January 2014)

When a film is as critically acclaimed as 12 Years a Slave, your expectations begin to rise, by last night, my expectations were sky- high. This can be a film's greatest ally and worst enemy. Luckily, my expectations were met.
I can't say I enjoyed this movie, because of how unflinching and distressing it is. The film tells the story of Solomon Northup, a free man living in Saratoga with his wife and two children. He was kidnapped by two slave-traders in 1841 and sold into slavery. On his way to New Orleans, Solomon bears witness to the harsh realities of slavery in the Deep South: such as the murder of Michael K. Williams' character. Once in New Orleans, Northup is sold by the despicable trader (Paul Giamatti) to William Ford (Benedict Cumberbatch), a kindly Baptist slave-owner. Even though Ford is a relatively respectful and decent, Solomon still encounters struggle. Mainly at the hands of Ford's absolutely loathsome carpenter (The always brilliant and creepy Paul Dano) who attempts to murder Northup. To protect him, Ford sells Northup to a neighbouring plantation owner, Edwin Epps.
Epps is an absolute bastard. He treats his slaves in a way that makes Calvin Candie look like a sweetheart. Whipping them if if they did not meet the work quota he had set for them. His attraction to his star slave Patsey (The much lauded and absolutely freaking beautiful Lupita N'yongo) is met with disgust by his wife ('The Bette Davis of America', otherwise known as Sarah Paulson, who is almost worst than Epps)
Steve McQueen was the perfect choice for this, I imagine if Steven Spielberg had directed this, it would've ended up being sentimental and tame. McQueen doesn't shy away from the subject, presenting slavery in a stark way. His usual long takes are used effectively here, making it hard for the viewer to look away. His use of it during the hanging scene is haunting and makes it one of the best scenes of the year.
The film is anchored by Ejiofor's performance, who is absolutely brilliant. His emotion is mostly conveyed through his eyes. The film also has an array of fantastic performances – Fassbender and N'yongo are stunning and deserve every accolade they are receiving, Paulson is just as good. Adepero Oduye steals her scenes as a mother torn from her children, as does Alfre Woodard as a woman who has clawed her way from slavery. Dano, Dillahunt and Cumberbatch are also great. However, one of the major problems of the film is the casting of Brad Pitt – who manages to take you out of the moment entirely with his performance as Bass. Pitt's decision to use his Aldo Raine accent is baffling and simply ridiculous.
12 Years a Slave will be seen as important as Schindler's List in the years to come, and will deservedly win Best Picture at the Oscars. I guarantee it.