12 Years a Slave

[sneaky_flute]

Anyone see it? What did you think?

 

I saw it last night and I really expected it to do the autobiography justice but I ended up leaving the theatre disappointed. The movie did a great job of depicting slavery's deplorable conditions and many of the scenes were quite harrowing, particularly the scene in which Solomon is beaten the morning after being kidnapped. However, I thought it was in effective in showing the passing of time and Solomon's internal struggles. Also, the A-list cameos felt almost self-indulgent and the histrionic language was irritating at times. I really wanted to love it but I'm sure it will sweep the Oscars.

[Ray McKigney]

You should add in the thread title that you are revealing parts of the movie. 

[NrM]

You should add in the thread title that you are revealing parts of the movie. 

 

 

I think we call this, "spoilers" 

[Sam Sanchez]

I really thought this movie was great and one of the best of the year. Though I'll grant it though that I have not read the book. I do however agree that the passage of time was a fault as that was the one criticism that popped in my head a bit while watching (well one of them, Brad Pitt was another).

 

 

But overall, I don't think the performances were  self-indulgent at all. Ejiofor did so much of his acting with just his eyes, definitely deserves some recognition come award time. Thought Fassbender was pretty much just as good as well in his role. It's definitely director Steve McQueen's most accessible film yet but not in a negative way. Finally able to put forth a narrative as his focal point rather than just style and visuals, though I am a fan of his stuff prior.