Oscar Review: 12 Years a Slave

Oscar Nominations:

Best Picture

Actor (Chiwetel Ejiofor)

Supporting Actor (Michael Fassbender)

Supporting Actress (Lupita Nyong'o)

Directing (Steve McQueen)

My Review:

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This movie is incredibly well made, and the actor and actresses are phenomenal.  It is very difficult to watch though.  It is a depressing true story.  A free black man (Chiwetel Ejiofor) is enslaved early on in the film.  The quality of his life immediately diminishes severely, but his hope and spirit is not broken.  He is well-educated, and he knows what he needs to do to survive.  It does not make his journey any less heart wrenching or easy, but it does make it different than some of the others he encounters.  It was difficult to watch because as Americans the slavery we are taught about in school is unfortunately painted in the best light possible.  This movie shows slavery for the harsh reality that it was for our country.  It is sickening.  It is vile.  It is twisted to seem acceptable by the slave owners.  This movie is a must watch for everyone.  It is the first time I have ever been to a theater when the entire audience was simply dead silent as they exited the room while the credits rolled.  This film leaves an impact and should be used for years to come as it shows the true colors of racism and slavery in our country's not so distant past.  I hope this film wins Best Picture as it truly deserves the honor.  It does have a handful of graphic scenes and does use some inappropriate language, but is worth watching even so.

Have you seen 12 Years a Slave?  What did you think?

Andrea :)