I had been recommended 12 Years a Slave by a friend, and read it was the best movie of the year by many reviewers. To say this is the best movie of the year is an understatement, in my opinion. I could easily put this in my top ten movies ever list.
Films about slavery come every year. It is a very large and active sub-genre of movies depicting history. But only few are able to capture it in the way this film did. This film is very real and doesn't hold back on the visuals and struggle of slavery.
The film bolsters a great cast, with a lead that could and should win the Oscar for Best Actor. But that's not to say everyone else doesn't give all the effort possible, and then some. For example, Michael Fassbender is able to really convey a heartless, cruel man. Every actor doesn't hold back in their respective performances. I was appalled when I saw Benedict Cumberbatch an didn't think he was Sherlock at all, but rather his character as Solomon's fist slave owner. No doubt the best cast of 2013.
The score, composed by Hans Zimmer, is beautiful and adds to the films realism and sorrow so much. I think it should win Best Score at the Oscars. Just amazing.
The cinematography and scene structure was such a great contrast to the films harrowing scenes. To see such a beautiful landscape and then a human being beaten like the film depicts really is visually compelling and is greatly done.
The story, based off of Solomon Northup's life is very real and raw. The scene where he is in chains for the first time wrenches on you. Like I previously stated, slavery is rarely depicted so well yet so real.
"Seeing this film is doing yourself a huge favor. Don't take the younger one's, and expect to possibly cry and have a thought provoking film like few others."
I'd give 12 Years a Slave 5 Stars Out of 5