Movie #824 "12 Years A Slave" was one of the most difficult films to sit through, and I realize it should be, considering the subject matter. But THIS IS NOT A MOVIE FOR EVERYONE, and it is being toted as a movie YOU HAVE TO SEE. No, you don't. Dave walked out about 20 minutes before the end, and I followed two minutes after. I stood in the foyer and watched the end (he took a pass) If this is a history lesson (as has been advertised), it's too bad that you couldn't show it in the classroom. I realize you need to show whippings and other mistreatments, but for 15 minute scenes? I know it is important to know what happened, but the eyes and stomach can take just so much. Okay, enough on the difficulty in watching, now to the acting……….wow! I guess everyone is going to need to learn how to pronounce this actor's name because he is definitely a shoo-in for a nomination for best actor, along with Fassbender for supporting…..Brad Pitt was Brad Pitt (I hardly ever get overexcited if he is in a movie -- seems he spent all of his energy on a few parts (like "Seven" or "Thelma and Louise") but the young girl Lupita Nyong'o is amazing! so is Sarah Paulson as Fassbender's wife. So the acting is really good ---- the story gives very little moments of uplifting ---- only one white person comes out okay, so be aware you will feel very ashamed after seeing this movie, but once again, that's the intent. I'm glad I saw this movie, but once again, I need to say it is a tough watch. And I didn't feel like we were covering new ground in the film at all. One thing I really did like, though, is the intelligence behind it ----- a lot of quietude in the film, but a lot said in the quietness. I also liked how the camera stays so long on one subject, like Solomon's face, which shows man's inhumanity to man so well all throughout the movie.
12 Years a Slave2013R I give this film 3.7 stars out of 5.
The autobiography of Solomon Northup, a free black man who was abducted from New York state and sold into slavery in the mid-1800s, serves as the basis for this historical drama. Chiwetel Ejiofor stars as Northup, and Brad Pitt plays an abolitionist.
No comments:
Post a Comment