The best of it's genre!

Rating: 7/10 (18 January 2014)

A lot of films are being made about slavery now a days. Just last year we had Lincoln and Django, this year we had The Butler and so on. This movie can rightly be called close to a Schindler's List to slavery in America.
Solomon Northup is a free black man who is kidnapped and sold into slavery, hence he realizes the hardships and cruelty faced by the slaves and continues his struggle of survival.
Just the thought of what Solomon or the people like him would have faced, like surviving year on year in absolute terror and not knowing what became of your family, just brings some chills to the spine. So a delicate topic handled with utmost care and ease by Steve McQueen and his talented cast. Just like Schindler's List, the film is pretty hard to watch as it says true to the slave stained era of America. From 5 minutes long lashing to the gory aftermath, there is truth in every scene.
Proper time has been given to each scene, which is Mcqueens' trademark, it brings about the hidden talent in Chiwetel Ejiofor, a worthy Oscar Nod. The film is also good on technical front with some nice cinematography, editing and costumes. Great character development, one feels what Solomon feels. Particularly when he tries to console Elizia and When he realizes he can't do nothing for Patsy. The conflict faced buy the character is strongly depicted and can be felt by the viewer.
Direction: Powerful direction and narrative, a worthy Oscar nod.
Script/Screenplay: A perfectly written piece, which stays true to its content and source. Very easily it grips you to your seat.
Acting: Chiwetel was absolutely awesome, scene by scene you feel what he feels, for a long time people are going to know him by "Solomon". Lupita is good, but an Oscar nod came to me as a surprise. Micheal certainly deserves a win, he was just marvelous.
Music: I am very very disappointed at Hans not being nominated for the original score, it was the soul of the film, another snub.
Even though it was an excellent film and I'm almost sure it will win the Best picture Oscar, I still feel it isn't the best of the year. I think Gravity was better. I haven't seen the others, but I'll soon catch up and I will be eligible to comment on the topic. Anyways a great film.