A Precious Gift Called Freedom

Rating: 10/10 (16 November 2013)

This film is highly recommended.
Is it better to be born blind, or deaf, or with some other hardship, than to once have had that sense, only to lose it later in life? You might think that this opening question is coming out of nowhere, but bear with me. To have lived with that precious gift and then to be forced to live without seems even more tragic and cruel. The loss must be all the more staggering. I bring this question to the forefront as it is the inescapable sense of loss that is the underlying concept in 12 Years A Slave, Steve McQueen's relentless and searing account of human trafficking, a true tale about Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejoiofor), an African-American musician who, in the earlier stages of his life, was a free man enjoying his life with his wife and family in the, only to be whisked away, bounded and shackled to spend most of his later years (1841 -1853)as a slave in the Old South.
The desire for freedom always is just out of reach as we follow Solomon's harrowing journey. From free man to slave, his suffering in this film is palpable, as we witness scenes of persecution and endless humiliation packaged between moments of sadness and despair.
Be forewarned: 12 Years A Slave is not an easy film to watch, as this viewer diverted his eyes from many sadistic acts of violence throughout the film. The torture and inhumane conditions are true representations of America's reprehensible past. The brutality seen in 12 Years A Slave is never gratuitous or used as a mere shock value stunt. It's there in full view, shown as it was then, and now chronicled and unable to be ignored.
The privileges of whiteness and the freedom that came with that segregated class system has a more visceral effect in this film, seen in sharp contrast to the servitude and brutality that many slaves endured at countless plantations from master to master. The film's most convincing argument is how effortlessly injustice can marginalize one man's life.
Mr. Ejoiofor is exceptional in his role as Solomon. The actor's use of his physical traits, his woesome and sad-eyed facial expressions and continued downward stare, subtly show the inner rage and helplessness of his character. His final scene is so moving and memorable, allowing the emotional release for his character and for the movie-going audience as well. As the villainous psychotic slave owner Epps, Fassbinder has the showier role and he tends to overplay the sexual depravity of the character with a tad too much glee. Yet the actor does register the proper degree of instability and intimidation, avoiding the aspects of a full-blown Simon Lagree stereotype. (McQueen should have reined the actor in at times, which would have made this excellent performance all the more real and effective.)
The acting is stellar with strong supporting work by Paul Giamatti, Paul Dano, Adepero Oduye, and Alfre Woodard. Special mention goes out to the contributions of Lupita Nyong'o as the abused slave, Patsey, and Sarah Paulson as Epps' shrewish wife. Both actresses deserve Oscar nominations for their fine work in this drama. Only Brad Pitt seems miscast in his role due to his famous screen persona. (Yes, he's one of the film's producers, but a lesser known actor would have given the film the right degree of realism.)
Director McQueen, along with his co-writer, John Ridley, have created a film of undeniable passion and haunting imagery, a mostly accurate and horrific history lesson for all of the world to see. His wonderful production team have crafted an indelible re-creation of pre- Civil War authenticity with stellar work from Patricia Norris' period costumes, Hans Zimmer's atmospheric music score, realistic sets by Adam Stockhausen and David Stein, and stunning cinematography by Sean Bobbit.
There are so many memorable set pieces that are skillfully handled for maximum effect (a horrible lynching scene that seems to go on until tomorrow, Solomon overcome with despair and rage as he sings a spiritual, a burning letter that turns to embers and fades to black). There are some scenes that do go on far too long and overstate their message (a chase sequence between Epps and Solomon goes so over-the-top to the point of absurdity that it undercuts some of the film's emotional impact). More judicious editing could have solved that very minor complaint. (Also having a rather jarring effect is McQueen eagerness to show historical accuracy on one hand, yet the director tends to overlooks the fact that his actors (portraying either slaves or owners) seem to have taken so much special care on their dental work that the American Dental Association would have unanimously given the film its seal of approval. That said, the film is still a remarkable achievement in filmmaking.
12 Years A Slave is a bold provocative film that forever shatters the myth of gentrifying the Southern Antebellum lifestyle. McQueen's film never hides from or whitewashes one of the most tragic chapters of American history. Its powerful story of one man's anguish and loss of freedom should resonate with any caring individual. Sadly, racism still exists in many parts of our country today. With such an important film like 12 Years A Slave as our ultimate proof, the lesson is well earned, if not yet well learned. GRADE: A-
ANY COMMENTS: Please contact me at: jadepietro@rcn.com to add any comments
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