The Most Honest Look at Slavery?

Rating: 8/10 (23 February 2014)

In the antebellum United States, Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery.
No film from 2013 has been more rewarded and awarded than "12 Years a Slave", and with good reason -- an incredible (yet true) plot fleshed out by some remarkable actors that really captures what slavery was like without the gratuitous violence of exploitation or the overt sentimentality of a Spielberg film. There is no surprise that the film has captured the top slot in many critics' lists and enters the Oscar race with an impressive nine nominations.
Right off the bat let us say that if "12 Years a Slave" wins Best Picture at the Academy Awards, there is no shame in that. This is the kind of film that deserves to win, as it both looks good and covers a topic of great importance. Slavery may not be in the forefront of our minds, but it is always a part of American history we have to live with. That is why I think this film will take the statuette home.
After that, the race gets a lot more complicated. A win for adapted screenplay seems fair, as this story more than adequately brings to life historical figures in a way that comes across -- dare I say it -- entertaining, while also being honest and truthful to the source.
But a best actor for Chiwetel Ejiofor? This is hard to say. While no one would argue he did not deserve such an award, he happens to be up against Matthew McConaughey in "Dallas Buyers Club". For both men, this is the role that will be the peak of their careers most likely, and I have to say McConaughey gave just a little bit more. So the edge is slight but evident.
The exact same situation awaits Michael Fassbender, who was devious as Edwin Epps without becoming a caricature. He is this year's Christoph Waltz, which is quite the feat. But against Jared Leto? Again, the edge tends to favor the actor who put his own physical health on the line, and I think Fassbender will come in second.
Lupita Nyong'o as Patsey could get an award. The actress fields are not as strong this year as in the past, and it would be a good time to sneak in past the more established people in the field. (Although her role is small, I was also pleased to see Quvenzhané Wallis as Margaret Northup. Regardless of how everything turned out, "Beasts of the Southern Wild" was the film of 2012 thanks to her.)
The only really disappointing thing was the presence of Brad Pitt as Bass, the film's hero (if there is one). Whether or not his acting was good, the part seemed all wrong. Pitt stands out as too recognizable in this world, and when he appears it is as if out of nowhere, proudly talking down his employer with repercussions. Was this necessary? Did we need what amounts to a 21st century man breaking the fourth wall to save the day?
That nitpick aside, this is an excellent film and deserves any and all honors that come its way.