12 Years A Slave Movie Review
Synopsis: It is 1841, and Northup, an accomplished, free citizen of New York, is kidnapped and sold into slavery. Stripped of his identity and deprived of all dignity, Northup is ultimately purchased by ruthless plantation owner Edwin Epps and must find the strength within to survive.
Rating: R for violence/cruelty, some nudity and some brief sexuality.
Run Time: 134 Minutes
Director: Steve McQueen
DVD Extras: A Historical Portrait, The Team, The Score
Nudity Factor: Kidnapped people are forced to wash in front of each other in two different scenes, the second one has both male and female slaves washing together. In a scene later, both male and female slaves are presented naked in front of potential buyers. Patsey played by Lupita Nyong’o is stripped naked and whipped in a very graphic scene.
Of Note: The tree where Solomon sees several men being lynched was actually used for lynching, and is surrounded by the graves of murdered slaves.
Recommendations: Shutter Island — Mad Max Fury Road — Gone Girl — Kill Bill Vol 1 — Prisoners — Inglourious Basterds — Spotlight — Django Unchained — Million Dollar Baby — The Wolf of Wall Street — A Beautiful Mind — Catch Me If You Can
Soundtrack:
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Review by: Jason Schulte
Rating: 
Critiquing this film is like trying to swim against the current of society’s expectations. I’ve dared to voice a few concerns about the movie, only to be met with gasps of disbelief and accusations of insensitivity. But fear not, dear reader, for my critique is not a reflection of my lack of empathy for the struggles of the past.
The story is based on the true account of Solomon Northup, a free black man living in New York with a talent for the violin. His peaceful life takes a dark turn when he is lured into a trap that lands him in the clutches of slavery. The film chronicles his harrowing twelve-year journey through hell, shedding light on the atrocities of the past.
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room – the film’s artistic choices. Some scenes feel like they were plucked straight out of a modern art exhibit, leaving me scratching my head in confusion. And don’t even get me started on the cast’s occasional lackluster performances. Honesty is my policy, folks.
Despite its flaws, this film serves as a poignant reminder of the injustices of the past and their lingering effects on our society today. We can’t simply sweep these issues under the rug and pretend they no longer exist. So, let’s appreciate the film for its powerful message while acknowledging its imperfections. After all, a little constructive criticism never hurt anyone.