Steve McQueen reaches his artistic peak (to date) with 12 Years A Slave, a riveting adaptation of Solomon Northup's 1853 memoir, in which Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a free American black man, finds himself sold into slavery, from which he isn't able to escape for, yes, twelve years. As uncompromising and visceral as anything McQueen has made up this point, 12 Years refuses to turn its head away from the horrors of slavery, and as such has been held by many critics as "the ultimate film about slavery". Chiwetel Ejiofor gives a Best Actor-nominated performance in the central role, conveying the pain and righteous anger of his predicament with sure aplomb. McQueen is also lucky to have roped in an excellent supporting cast, including a vicious Michael Fassbender (nominated for Best Supporting Actor), Lupita Nyong'o (nominated for Best Supporting Actress), Benedict Cumberbatch, Sarah Paulson, Brad Pitt, Paul Dano, Paul Giamatti, Scoot McNairy, and Quvenzhané Wallis. It's unpleasant viewing to say the least, but far more than a "white guilt" movie: this is a testament to the human spirit's ability to persevere. And it's going to win Best Picture.
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.
