As I begin to write this review, I have to take time to pause and say something about this film, as it is one that should move any viewer to the very soul. This movie is a real story of a real man named Solomon Northup. He was a free man, born in the northern states and then later kidnapped and sold into slavery where he remains for 12 years, hence the title. That being said, this movie does not hold anything back. You see the realities of life as a slave and they are harsh, brutal, and for many will, and for all should, make you sick to watch. Never have I felt so moved by a film to want to change and have more compassion for my fellow man since I saw Crash for the first time 6 years ago. I ask that you see this movie, but do not see it for its value as entertainment because you will be disappointed. See this movie because it should change who you are, and how you feel about those around you.
As I said, this movie centers on the life of Solomon Northup who was illegally sold into slavery. There he faces brutality and the horrors of life as a slave. He has to give up his name, his family, and has to hide the fact that he is an educated man with the ability to read and write. Three time Golden Globe Nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor gives what may end up being the most moving performance of the year as Northup. He is one of the most consistent actors working today and gives a career best performance. His work is transcendent and Oscar level and I believe he has a great chance to become the first African American winner of the Best Actor Academy Award since Jamie Foxx for his role as Ray Charles.
The supporting work in this movie is amazing as well, though many of the characters are people who you will despise through the end of the film. Paul Giamatti has a short role as a man named Freeman who is one of the most purely evil and despicable characters I have seen in film since Cristoph Waltz's character The Jew Hunter in Inglorious Basterds. He is amazing and, like many other actors in this, his role is nomination worthy. I don't believe he will garner any awards momentum though due to his shorter running time in the film. Michael Fassbender gives what may be the best role of his career as a brutal slave owner named Edwin Epps. Even as Magneto, I didn't believe him to be this sadistic and hateful, but Michael Fassbender, who I believe to be one of the best younger actors working today (though he is 36) and his performance should garner huge awards consideration. The other great character worth noting is Ford, a southern gentleman played by the always solid Benedict Cumberbatch (who has had one of the best years in films this year with three great roles in Star Trek: Into Darkness, this, and The Fifth Estate, the latter which may garner him some awards talk). He has a chance to show compassion on Solomon but passes up the opportunity and Northup's life delves further and further into hell.
The writing in this movie is unflinching. The directing by Steve McQueen is fantastic. This movie does not apologize for its subject matter. It just shows it how it is. It isn't a fantasy movie like a Gone With The Wind or Django Unchained. It is a real life story that happened to real life people in America. The fact that this movie is not apologetic about that I truly appreciated. It made it that much better. I loved this film for being everything a film should be. I hated the emotional tear it left in my soul, but this could be the best movie of the year, and in my opinion, is the first truly important movie of the decade. I give this movie a resounding A+
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