Masterpiece

Rating: 9/10 (17 January 2014)

This is based on a true story about the writings of Solomon Northup. A freeman in 1841 who had a wife and family. He was a violin player who was tricked into the promise of a job by two men who drugged him and sold him into slavery for 12 years. Now this is not an easy film to watch. Some very harsh scenes on how slaves were treated on the south back then. Solomon played by Chewitel Ejifor in a great performance spent his time with 3 different slave owners. All treating him in different ways. The pain and suffering he had to endure was moving and very inspiring. Michael Fassbender plays the harshest owner he faced and he is amazing as a cruel human being who believes he can do what he wants with his property. Steve McQueen the director puts us in the thick of it and really shows the brutality of slavery. The music in the film is great as well as the performances and whole production looks great. This is a film that stays with you and can affect you with the harshness of the story. This film should win best picture at the Oscars in March. I highly recommend this great and very moving film.