Review of 12 Years a Slave (2013) by Joe C — 04 Jan 2015
Steve McQueen was teetering on the brink of a cinematic breakthrough for years. Hunger was eye-opening, Shame was more than eye-opening, but it's 12 Years a Slave that finally and rightfully thrust him into the spotlight.
An adaptation of Solomon Northup's memoirs, 12 Years a Slave is the shocking story of his 12 years as a slave after he is captured from his life as a respected free black man in New York. With a broad stroke of his artistic and visceral paintbrush, McQueen brings his best technical tricks to create the perfect atmosphere for John Ridley's character-based screenplay; extended facial close ups and long stagnate camera shots give 12 Years a Slave a level of artistic quality that has never been seen in a tale of American slavery.
The violence is hard to stomach, but it's necessary violence that never crosses the line to exploitative, so please don't be deterred from one of the most remarkable and resounding films ever.
McQueen has created something truly remarkable here; essential cinema.
This review of 12 Years a Slave (2013) was written by Joe C on 04 Jan 2015.
12 Years a Slave has generally received very positive reviews.
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