A harrowing tale of redemption

Rating: 9/10 (20 March 2014)

Movies aren't just a source of entertainment and escapism. They can educate the viewer on culture, the history of society and how it has developed to lead us to how we are today, depicting distant lands and the hardships that people have endured to ensure that others can lead a better lifestyle, history that we may not have come across otherwise. The film industry has the ability to hold a mirror to an audience, unapologetically delving into the unspeakable truths of our ancestors transgressions.
All will know what to expect upon deciding to see 12 Years a Slave. The absence of basic human rights, the immorality and apathy that is a prevalent theme to many throughout it's run-time. When Solomon Northup, family man and professional violinist is wrongly uprooted from his life as a free man, he is forced to change or die. Leaving behind all identity he becomes Platt, forced to implement his skills in carpentry and music whilst later working in the cotton picking fields, all the while enduring constant physical and mental abuse. Fassbender's portrayal of a slaver may seem the films obvious antagonist however if you look deeper, you find not only more human flaws such as jealousy, but also other examples of compliance and blissful ignorance. Such is the role of Benedict Cumberbatch's, Ford. Whilst he was a man of the lord who respected his work force, he often overlooked the slander and abuse dealt out by his overseers. Although he had no hand in this abuse, I believe his acceptance for how things were was just as deplorable as he was too weak to challenge the status-quo.
TWELVE YEARS A SLAVE (Photo: Jaap Buitendijk/FOX Searchlight)
Gifted for his time with Ford, Solomon receives a Violin. Throughout his hellish existence in the Louisiana heat he finds it to be his only solace as he experiences the five stages of loss and grief; Denial and Isolation, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance. Beat into submission, he experienced disturbing acts of cruelty until he broke, defending himself, leading to unwarranted ramifications as he is sent to work with the unforgiving, Epps.
12 YEARS A SLAVE
Not only does 12 Years a Slave have an incredible cast of renowned actors, it also displays new talent. Fresh from drama school, Lupita Nyong'o brings a fresh face to the big screen as the troubled gem of Ebb's workforce, Patsy. Her début is a tour de force as she brings the performance into her own, avoiding being overshadowed by the A-list cast. A period film of this nature could potentially crumble if it has a weak link within, however I commend all involved for honest, poignant performances. My only small gripe was with Pitt's accent. Reminiscent of the Southern drawl of Lieutenant Aldo Raine in Inglourious Basterds, I struggled to take him too seriously as I constantly thought of the unconventional lead in Tarantino's quirky perspective of the World War.
Regardless of all the sadness and brutality which this film purveys, it never ceases to show the beauty of the Virginian countryside. Shots of swamps and marshes teeming with insects and wildlife, cotton fields and woodland amidst the chirping of Crickets and the tweeting of birds all aid in immersing you in the experience.
Throughout, it is an intense and relevant viewing, delving into the murky waters of our ancestral past. Underlining our wrongs whilst perhaps provoking discussion on how to avoid similar modern failures after the viewing, it stays no longer than it needs to yet it will endure with viewers for the foreseeable future.