Steve McQueen's masterful depiction of the slave trade is one of the year's best films, being a revelation in terms of its direction, writing, cinematography, acting, music and general craft. One of the best performances peppered throughout the film is Paul Dano's role of John Tibeats, a grossly racist carpenter who enjoys humiliating and putting Solomon (Chiwetel Ejiofor) down, taking exception to his intelligent and insightful nature. When Tibeats eventually engages Solomon physically, Solomon manages to get the better of him and fights back, giving him a firm whipping and embarrassing him in front of his people. This is a brief moment of catharsis and levity in a film that is so brutal for so much of its runtime. After all the maltreatment Solomon has gone through, to see him get just a little revenge and air a little of his frustration is immensely satisfying, even if it does result in the gruelling lynching that follows.
Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes).
General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.
