12 Years a Slave (2013)
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Critics Consensus: It's far from comfortable viewing, but 12 Years a Slave's unflinchingly brutal look at American slavery is also brilliant -- and quite possibly essential -- cinema.
Critics Consensus: It's far from comfortable viewing, but 12 Years a Slave's unflinchingly brutal look at American slavery is also brilliant -- and quite possibly essential -- cinema.
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Chiwetel Ejiofor stars as Solomon Northup, the New York State citizen who was kidnapped and made to work on a plantation in New Orleans in the 1800s. Steve McQueen (Hunger) directs from a script he co-wrote with John Ridley, based in part by Northup's memoir. Michael Fassbender, Brad Pitt, Benedict Cumberbatch, Sarah Paulson, and Paul Giamatti co-star. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi- Rating:
- R (for violence/cruelty, some nudity and brief sexuality)
- Genre:
- Drama , Special Interest
- Directed By:
- Steve McQueen (III)
- Written By:
- John Ridley
- In Theaters:
- Oct 18, 2013 Limited
- On DVD:
- Mar 4, 2014
- US Box Office:
- $56.7M
Cast
-
Chiwetel Ejiofor
as Solomon Northup -
Michael Fassbender
as Edwin Epps -
Benedict Cumberbatch
as Ford -
Paul Giamatti
as Freeman -
Brad Pitt
as Bass
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RT's 2014 Oscar Picks - Results
– Rotten Tomatoes
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Critic Reviews for 12 Years a Slave
All Critics (265) | Top Critics (49) | Fresh (256) | Rotten (9)
The cumulative emotional effect is devastating: the final scenes are as angry, as memorable, as overwhelming as anything modern cinema has to offer.
So overpowering is this film's simple, horrible, and almost entirely true story that it's hard to get enough distance on 12 Years a Slave to poke at its inner workings.
Every scene of 12 Years a Slave, and almost every shot, conveys some penetrating truth about America's original sin.
The power of McQueen's movie is in its declaratory style: This happened. That is all, and that is everything.
It is a film that necessity and education demand seeing.
It provokes recognition in us of the very heart of darkness. It makes the unimaginable imaginable.
As with Schindler's List, you won't want to be munching a bucket of popcorn through this.
Screenwriter John Ridley takes a story that's episodic in nature and crafts a narrative that manages to build in intensity and emotion for over two hours.
Driven by the best performances of the year, bold directing, and a compelling true story that reminds us of our nation's shameful, inhumane past, it is a film destined to enjoy a reputation as one of the greatest films ever produced about slavery.
This isn't simply an important movie, but a dose of brutal truth that must be confronted, and done so with absolute certainty.
Lupita Nyong'o is the emotional epicenter of the entire film.
Ejiofor's low-key, naturalistic acting mode is ideal for conveying Northup's self-control and intelligence. And Fassbender avoids turning the malevolent Epps into a one-note nemesis.
McQueen works from ferocity to felicity. Scenes of body horror bear higher emotional stakes than your average horror film. It's a film of few kindnesses and many graces.
An uncompromising look at slavery in the Antebellum South. Anchored by career-defining performances by Chiwetel Ejiofor and Lupita Nyong'o, director Steve McQueen brings his assured directorial mind to a harrowing, but necessary picture.
There are no false pretenses or unnecessary charging, instead, there is patience and time. The moments of suspension often become the biggest delight.
Much of it is difficult to watch, but '12 Years a Slave' is that rare film that's both important in its message and a darned good film all the same.
While the praise for 12 Years a Slave has been rather overblown, it's still a recommendable film due to its incredible cast, which helps cover up its weaknesses.
This is a truly impressive piece of filmmaking.
O que nos torna racistas não é o preconceito que exercemos de maneira ativa, mas a intolerância contra as mais diversas minorias que simplesmente nos mostramos incapazes de perceber.
It's a heavy, depressing film but it's also one that's hard to discredit.
McQueen has used this near-documentary style of filming before, but this is the first time it's seemed essential to his story.
An unflinching, uncomfortable and entirely necessary modern classic.
There is a reason that Slave has topped the best of list of 25 major film critics and won the Golden Globe for Best Picture. Miss it at your own loss.
The direction from Steve McQueen is visceral, the script from John Ridley doesn't waste a word, and the performances are, without exception, brilliant.
Using dialogue sparsely and shocking images relentlessly, McQueen's movie brilliantly explores the implications and legacy of slavery, and debunks some of its more cherished myths.
Minds will be opened, perhaps even changed by what they see (and indeed, feel) here.
Audience Reviews for 12 Years a Slave
Solomon Northup's story deserves to be told in all it's uncomfortable glory. Steve McQueen understood this and directed a beautiful and harrowing film accordingly. There are many films about slavery but this is the only one I can think of that really tackles the true horror of what it must have been like for slaves at that time. Many had it worse and some of those stories we will never know, it is only thanks to Solomon's strength and intellect do we have this particular account. It's nice to see a film about slavery that isn't apologetic either. Sure, three white men did help Solomon escape slavery - their help should and is acknowledged but for the best part the white man was indeed nothing short of ignorant and cruel. This isn't just another 'White's helping blacks' schmaltzy melodrama. This upsets many and makes them feel uncomfortable. For that reason alone it should be applauded. The direction and performances are both superb, the production, costumes, script and soundtrack are all nothing short of brilliant. A future classic.
http://cinephilecrocodile.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/12-years-slave-dir-steve-mcqueen-2013.html
Super Reviewer
So far, the best of the Academy Award contenders I've seen. Next would be The Wolf of Wall Street. 12 Years a Slave is a must-see.
MoreSuper Reviewer
A worthy best picture winner based on the excellent performances and the importance of the subject matter, but this is not an easy movie to watch. If you can't handle graphic torture scenes, stay far away. There's quite of few of them and they are brutal. I admire that the actors and actresses were willing to put themselves through it. The movie itself is a great redemption story and emotionally compelling (especially the ending), but it can be slow at times. It's not something I would probably want to watch again, but absolutely worth it at least once if you can stomach it. The average film-goer that grabs this for a watch based on its awards will not like it more than likely because it is not a mainstream audience movie, but that is not something that should take away its accomplishments on and off the film.
MoreSuper Reviewer
This is the crowing work of 2013. An instant classic. A true emotional powerhouse of a film. A triumphant masterpiece of the highest kind. An extremely powerful, deeply moving and truly breathtaking movie. Director, Steve McQueen outdoes himself once again, crafting a true story and shows great dedication and commitment to the material and the characters. An unforgettably unapologetic piece of work that will talked about and remembered for years. A brutal and vicious account of slavery and its cruel nature that shows its devastation and its tragedy but also a glimmer of hope. The all-star cast is beyond superb. Chiwetel Ejiofor gives a magnificent and brilliant performance, he gives the performance of his career. Michael Fassbender gives an vicious and powerful performance. Benedict Cumberbatch is terrific. Brad Pitt is excellent. Lupita Nyong'o gives an emotionally devastating and great performance. A movie that has outstanding power. It has brutal darkness in it but also a fine beauty. It's truly impossible to turn away from.
MoreSuper Reviewer
12 Years a Slave Quotes
- Bass:
- Laws change. Social systems crumble. Universal truths are constant. It is a fact - it is a plain fact that what is true and right is true and right for all. White and black alike.
- Solomon Northup:
- I am Solomon Northup. I am a free man; a resident of Saratoga, New York. The residence also of my wife and children who are equally free. I have papers. You have no right whatsoever to detain me...
- Tibeats:
- You will not live to see another day!
- Solomon Northup:
- I will not fall into despair! I will keep myself hardy until freedom is opportune!
- Solomon Northrup:
- I don't want to survive. I want to live.
- Ford:
- What is the price for the ones Platt and Eliza?
- Freeman:
- A thousand for Platt; he is a nigger of talent. Seven hundred for Eliza. My fairest price.
- Ford:
- You will accept a note?
- Freeman:
- Always from you, Mr. Ford.
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