Ejiofor is brilliant.  Nyong’o is a revelation. McQueen directs flawlessly. See it. SEE IT.

 

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Slavery is an absolutely horrifying subject.  And yet, Director Steve McQueen has a graceful but unapologetic touch on this film (based on the real-life memoir by Solomon Northup).  It’s a real achievement to create a film that is not only visually stunning but emotionally riveting.  What’s even more of an achievement is that during the press-only screening I attended, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.

As Solomon, Chiwetel Ejiofor (Serenity) is breathtaking.  But I have to point out another amazing performance that is sure to be Award Season Catnip; Lupita Nyong’o as Patsey, a young slave woman who deals with both the unwanted attention of her master (Michael Fassbender) and the jealousy of her master’s wife (American Horror Story’s Sarah Paulson).  Nyong’o runs the gamut of emotions, and she scores a twofer with her performance; she’s so amazing here that I’m dying to see her in more roles.

12 Years A Slave is sure to be on the top of every critic’s Top 10 List this year.  If you’re able to stomach the graphic, often horrifying subject matter, it’s worth the emotional catharsis.  Movie making?  This is how it’s done, son.