An important film that studies the human condition in order to survive against America's most violent ages

Rating: 9/10 (18 January 2014)

"12 Years a Slave" follows the story of Soloman Northup, a free African-American abducted and sold into slavery. The movie's center is not so much the journey as it is about the man and his struggles. He faces unimaginable odds and ultimately triumphs after 12 harrowing years. Many words can be used to describe this film. Cruelty, and man's preference to bondage and brutality. Complete despair. Yet hope, compassion, and emotional power. This film is a true experience that is brought to life with bold energy and performances that will burn deeply into your memories.
Chiwetel Ejiofor as Soloman Northup delivers the greatest performance of the year. He evokes a man of torment and sadness so perfectly that I could feel his suffering in my soul. He gives us a character that can tell us what he is feeling and thinking without uttering a word--his facial expressions and voiceless body language is that good. Not many thespians can achieve this rare talent. Lupita Nyong'o as his fellow slave Patsy achieves equal acting capacity. I have never seen a character that I felt such pity and sympathy for. She exemplifies the thousands if not millions of persons whose voices have gone unnoticed over the centuries from the inhumanity of slavery. Having won the SAG award, she could very well go on to win the Oscar for supporting actress. Michael Fassbender in contrast does not convey as such a strong or in-depth character as Ejiofor or Nyong'o. He acts more like a three-dimensional villain than an actual believable character. He does play the drunken, psychotic, inhumane slave owner well though.
The technical accomplishments are something to admire. Director Steve McQueen relies heavily on extreme close ups on both his actors and to emphasis important details during a sequence. He also utilizes long takes with few cuts, allowing scenes to progress without interruption. The cinematography is pretty decent with its ominous low-key lighting at night and the use of natural lighting during the day shots. The costumes and set pieces, though sparse, help add to the authenticity of the period. Hans Zimmer's score is mainly a two-note, slow-paced melody, exemplifying the passing of time. While simple it is subtle and moving. He does squeeze in some of his loud, bombastic moments.
This movie has achieved just about everything I had desired and expected from it, except for one little thing. And that is the movie's focus. I understand the humanizing of Northup, and the cruelties of slavery, but that is all the film really examines. I anticipated more of a recreation of Southern slavery in terms of how they lived, their way of life and daily activities, and how they engaged and coped with the trials of the days. (Note: the book goes more deeply in these regards) Plenty of barbarity is shown in this film. Enough to make the audience members of the theater I attended to gasp and utter the occasional "On my!" Focusing only on the violence is just one part of the bigger story. I understand that so much can only be covered in a two-hour film, but the cup does not feel full. The ending in particular feels rushed, not giving enough information to view 12 years of a man's life. No matter, this is a very good filmeven a great one. I add it on my Best of 2013 list. However, this is far from the likes of other masterpieces created over the years.