‘12 Years a Slave’ is a powerful must-see

Every so often there is a film that critics rush to proclaim as not only an outstanding piece of work but a landmark in cinema. The buzz has been deafening for director Steve McQueen’s “12 Years a Slave” since its screening at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in September. Having drawn numerous comparisons to “Schindler’s List” (1993) and already being hailed as a lock for Best Picture nominee and even winner, the central question remains: does it live up to the hype?

In nearly every aspect of the film, it’s a resounding “yes.” McQueen has delivered a powerful film that takes an unflinching look at the brutalities of slavery in the Antebellum South, and while it is nowhere near a pleasant viewing experience, it is an essential one. Though “12 Years a Slave” is emotionally draining and will undoubtedly leave many audience members shaken, its uncompromising depiction of all the horrors associated with slavery forces us to take an honest look at this dark period in American history. Here, there are no idyllic plantations and no benevolent slave owners — most viewers may have learned about this era in history class, but seeing it ruthlessly play out on the big screen is a different experience altogether.

The film follows the life of (and is based on the memoir by) Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a free black man from the North who is kidnapped in Washington, D.C. in 1841 and sold into slavery in the South. Once a talented violinist who was happily married with a family, Solomon is quickly stripped of his former life. Ejiofor’s incredible performance drives home the emotional devastation of a human being who has become a piece of property. As the title of the film implies, Solomon spends quite some time in slavery and McQueen deliberately paces the film so that we witness the slow unraveling of Solomon’s life. He first loses his name — and consequently, part of his very identity — when entering the slave market. At every step along the way in his journey, Solomon is constantly forced to change his actions and adapt to this horrific social structure, shedding more of his previous life in order to survive.

Even the little details in McQueen’s portrayal of the Antebellum South are extremely effective. While we expect the intense scenes of slave master brutality to be harrowing, the smaller moments and brief shots also wear us down. The cries of little children being separated from their mother at a slave auction; the chilling shot of a character hanging from a noose in the background while business continues as usual on the plantation; the unnerving manner in which slave owners casually refer to slaves as property — all of these moments add up, creating a sense of dread and unease that wouldn’t feel out of place in a horror movie. Even a “sympathetic” character like Solomon’s first master, Ford (Benedict Cumberbatch), ultimately reveals a dark side. When he is forced to get rid of Solomon for his own safety, Ford chooses to trade him to a known cruel slave owner, rather than free him and incur a financial loss. This point is solidified by a conversation between Solomon and another slave — even kind-hearted people who willingly participate in a system where humans are considered property cannot be deemed honorable.

These horrific experiences are anchored by Ejiofor’s portrayal of Solomon, who remains stoic even when faced with the bleakest situations. Hoping to someday reunite with his family, Solomon has a dream that few other slaves possess and Ejiofor manages to blend that with an increasing weariness, a mix that makes for a stunning performance. The entire cast delivers emotionally resonating performances; Lupita Nyong’o stands out with a gut-wrenching turn as Patsey, a slave who feels both the wrath and affection of her master, Edwin Epps, played by Michael Fassbender. Fassbender takes what could easily have been a one-note character and instead delivers a multi-faceted portrayal of evil — a man driven by a range of twisted urges, who is self-deluded beyond redemption.

All of these elements combine to make “12 Years a Slave” a masterful film that deserves almost all of its praise. McQueen’s film is unforgiving and brutal, but given the dark period of history it covers, it’s a necessary approach to a topic that cannot be ignored — and its effects will stay with you long after the credits roll. “12 Years a Slave” is not an easy or enjoyable movie, but a powerful one that everyone should see.