Masterpiece with an underrated performance by Lupita Nyong'o

Rating: 10/10 (16 December 2013)

It took me a few minutes while the credits were rolling to muster the strength to physically stand up and walk out of the theater. This film completely floored me. It's one of the best movies I've ever seen, and I've seen many, many good movies. Everybody was superb. McQueen's use of simple silence in this movie is so powerful. Chiwetel Ejiofor was so heart breaking in his performance. I felt so much compassion for the man that I had to remind myself it was just a movie. Michael Fassbender was completely ruthless and fascinating to watch unravel, and Benedict Cumberbatch's short (unfortunately) spell in this movie was among my favorite aspects of the film.
However, one name that hasn't received nearly enough recognition is Lupita Nyongo'o. She played poor Patsy on Fassbender's plantation. There's a very prominent scene that I won't spoil, but it involves gruesome images of slave life in the 1800's. Her portrayal of Patsy was so emotional and traumatizing that you have no choice but to cry with her. She moves you. And that ending! Oh my God! Go see it. Now. Before the Oscars. I'm finding it very difficult for anyone to challenge Chiwetel Ejiofor for best actor this year.