Brilliant Cast

Rating: 9/10 (20 December 2016)

Although at the time of release, initial criticism had been made for the leading role casting, time proves that this film deserves the success it has made. Direction is excellent and the depiction of the civil war era is marvelous. It reminded me of "Barry Lyndon"'s accurate depiction of it's own respective era.
So, why not a ten? Well... ClichÃ©s... Why does every movie have to resort to them? Emotion is to be portrayed as is, doesn't need all this theatrical nonsense. 12 years a slave is a prime example of that. No need for it. It's there, you can feel it. Rough and real, as it is when we experience it as people.