Part of what makes 12 Years A Slave so special and unforgettable is its wholly intentional head-dizzying editing and presentation, which continuously leaves viewers in the dark on how long Solomon Northups tenure in slavery confinement has lasted. More astute moviegoers can make keen background observations and use it to gauge an estimation of how far along Solomon is in his torture, but for the most part everything is one cluttered mess that transitions from one heart-wrenching scene to the next. The viewer is left with one focus: Solomons never-ending pain. Gravity was most definitely a tough film to edit together, too, considering that its a film about one womans struggle for survival in deep space, and any scene that disrupts the flow or causes a rift in emotional investment could permanently cripple the films pacing. Its absolutely paramount to Gravitys success to remain as intense as possible, and that means ensuring that every scene serves a purpose. Winner: Its a tough call, but 12 Years A Slave takes a brilliant approach to structuring its narrative through creative editing techniques, and it is a large factor in the films success.
