Slavery

In the antebellum United States, Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery. (IMDb) ( )

A man is kidnapped and enslaved.

With movies like this, about atrocities and horrors, it's usually the case that the more well made they are, the worse the experience of watching them is. This is somehow an exception. It's strongly affecting and emotionally draining. But I never once wished I wasn't seeing it.

Concept: C
Story: B
Characters: B
Dialog: A
Pacing: A
Cinematography: A
Special effects/design: A
Acting: A
Music: B

Enjoyment: B

GPA: 3.4/4 ( )

From acclaimed director Steve McQueen comes this "deeply evocative and brilliantly acted" film (Claudia Puig, USA Today) based on the true story of Solomon Northup. It is 1841, and Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor in a gripping performance), an accomplished, free citizen of New York, is kidnapped and sold into slavery. Stripped of his identity and deprived of all dignity, Northup is ultimately purchased by ruthless plantation owner Edwin Epps (Michael Fassbender) and must find the strength within to survive. Filled with powerful performances by an astonishing cast that includes Benedict Cumberbatch, Brad Pitt and newcomer Lupita Nyong'o, "12 Years A Slave" is both an unflinching account of slavery in American history and a celebration of the indomitable power of hope.