Competently Produced, Directed, and Acted

Rating: 8/10 (2 March 2014)

Saw this movie today on a plane and learned it won the Oscar during the same evening at the time of this writing. Although it wouldn't have been my choice for Oscar, it is worthy of the award. I was prepared for the brutality, almost over-prepared, as I thought it would be akin to Schindler's List, but it is a much different movie. I noticed Chiwetel Ejiofor in "Serendipity" a while ago, and it's good to see him in a meaningful movie doing an excellent acting job. He acts his character as dignified yet confused and vulnerable, and still hopeful. Director McQueen also deserves praise for attention to detail. Being almost 150 years since Slavery's abolition, the oldest person in the world is still likely 2 generations removed from it. There is no-one left to give 1st person accounts of it. This story helps to try to bring it front and center to remind us that it was real and a bold stain on America's young History. Indeed Slavery's roots though are much older. (spoiler) The graphic lashing scene conjured up thoughts of Roman times and protected barbarism. From the story, you can see how many wretched, greedy, ignorant and uneducated people might have truly indulged in the diseased power of it, and likewise the rampant fear as a result. I liked the depth that the movie brought the abuse to light. 8/10