A review from someone who read the "12 Years A Slave" narrative

Rating: 9/10 (12 December 2013)

I have seen both versions of this story committed to film. The 1984 version was directed by the great Gordon Parks (if you don't know who that is look him up). This film is beautiful, I have to say that from the very beginning; the footage of Jefferson Parish, Louisiana is gorgeous. The thing about this story isn't that is unique, what is unique is Solomon Northup enduring bondage for 12 years without becoming bitter. There are moments in this film when you cringe, I literally flinched in moments; the moments when I cried weren't as numerous as I thought. However the thing that is conveyed to the view is the strength of spirit that slaves had to endure in order to live, not just survive but live. There is a scene where Solomon is talking to Eliza about her open mourning for her children, when they start arguing about how best to survive this situation, Solomon yells at her "I will stay hardy until freedom is opportune." There are so many moments in this movie when I was just in awe of how they took this narrative and translated it into pictures, a narrative that doesn't require much imagination to bring you back to the mid-1800s and how it was to be on a plantation in Louisiana. Patsy, a slave who is her master's prized cotton picker, 500+ lbs of cotton a day, the master's relationship with her is to caress her with one hand and beat her with the other. Lupita Nyong, as Patsey, is so beautiful it broke my heart, when Master Epps is describe her as "queen of the fields",she turns away from him and for a moment, I saw the beauty of all those women who were stolen away from Africa, her profile was so classic. This movie had a conversation that was "for movie purposes" but Master Shaw, a neighboring planter has a 'kept' slave woman, played by Alfre Woodard, she entertains Patsey, though Master Epps is worried that Shaw will touch Patsey. Mistress Shaw, tells Patsey, in a calm but sober voice that I can only say gave me chills "In His own time the good Lord will manage them all". Master Epps wife, hates Patsey and refuses her the basic necessity, like soap for which Patsey takes a savage beating. Steve McQueen took this narrative that I have loved since I was in junior high school and managed to produce a piece of art from it. The funeral scene, where what I grew calling an "old church mother" sings "Roll Jordon Roll"; which she pronounces 'Jerden', brought me back to Sundays in church, and I found myself singing with her in my heart. Finally, I wanted speak to the actual narrative and the man that Northup seemed to be in his narrative, he seemed a humble man, a kind man and that come through in this production. There is a scene toward the end of the film when Chiwetel Ejiofor looks into the camera, breaking that 'fourth wall' and all I could see was Solomon Northup staring at me across 160 years and I cried for him. Solomon's fate was lost to history, no one knows what became of him but I pray his last wish was granted.