Astonishing and Heartbreaking - 12 Years a Slave. Review on 12 Years a Slave

12 Years a Slave

I am fond of Hollywood movies, but never tried to watch them in English language. I always watch Hollywood movies in dubbed Hindi language. I remember the movie, “Gandhi” in which Britishers throw MK Gandhi from train and behaved like a dog. I remember some Indian Movies in which Britishers used Indian People as slave. I remember, I read about Abraham Lincoln in my history books in early classes. I remember how he processed a movement against slavery in USA. After all of these memoirs, I never think that I will watch “12 Years a Slave”.

My boss son told me about this movie first time. He watched this movie many of times and proposed me to watch this one. Well, it was 3rd March 2014 and I was watching live status of Oscar on internet. I have the knowledge from my boss son that “12 Years a Slave” is nominated in Oscar in different categories. I found that “12 Years a Slave” got Oscar award in best picture category. Then I realized that, I have to – I should have to watch this movie.

The movie is based in pre-civil war united states in 1842. The movie is stating a story of a free African-American black man “Solomon” who is living with his family in New York. He was professionally a carpenter and passionately a musician a violin player. He was drugged by two men and sold as a slave. “Solomon” was taken away from New York to New Orleans. He worked under many masters as a slave 12 years. Solomon got abducted, misbehaved, cruelty, harassment, humiliated, kindness etc. in these two years. His first master William Ford(Benedict Cumberbatch)   was soft and kind to him. Although William’s engineer John Tibeats(Paul Dano) did not like him. He verbally harassed him and lynched him after a fight. Solomon was saved by his master in kindness and sold to another master Edwin Epps(Michael Fassbender).

Epps was very cruel man. He always abuses to his slaves and if works done by slave is not like by him then he beaten up. Epps repeatedly raped a woman slave. Epps wife turned angry from this relation while she humiliates and attacked her continuously. Solomon faced many problems and cruelty at this place. He tried to send a letter to his friend but not succeeded. Solomon was forced to beat the Woman slave while his soul does not allow him to do such cruel thing. But as a slave he has to follow every order of his master. During the 12th year of slavery he got help from a Canadian laborer named Bass(Brad Pitt). Bass helped him and later local Sheriff came and asked many question to him to identify. Sheriff found his real identity as Solomon a free black man and restored to New York.

This movie is a Historical drama which was adapted from the 1853 memoir of Solomon Northup titled “12 Years a Slave”. Solomon Northup, a New York State-born free African American man who was kidnapped in Washington, D.C., in 1841 and sold into slavery. He worked on plantations in the state of Louisiana for twelve years before his release. This is based on true incident.

This movie got 3 Oscar awards in Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress and Best Adapted Screenplay. Movie was also awarded in “Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture” and “British Academy of Film and Television Arts for best film and best actor”. Movie received globally critical acclaim and was named in various media for best film. Movie hits box office and earned$140 million globally.

The story of this movie and screenplay was out of the world. Acting of Chiwetel Ejiofor as Solomon Northup and Lupita Nyong'o as woman slave was unbeatable. I can’t describe their acting in words. The strong base of this movie is its story. Story is totally different and attracts and bound you to watch it. This movie comes under the category of Drama. So viewers who are fond of commercial movie will not like it.

I watched this movie in one sitting and will watch again. This movie can be classified as a movie which must be watched before die. The marvelous story, unbeatable acting, Pre-Civil war era of USA and beautiful location are unforgettable. After watching this movie you find out a new energy in yourself. The fight of Solomon against slavery to retain his dignity and struggles to free himself will touch your soul.

Although, slavery is ended in present era but this movie is truly an eye opener. Movie show that how the slaves were treated in every part of world. Slaves were stabbed and treated like an animal. They were beaten-up and abused without any reason. So we can say that 21st Century told the story of 19th century story in such way which will be unforgettable in the future. Steve Mcqueen will be remembered in future for such a great movie. The 2 hour and 35 minutes movie bound you to watch again and again.

A must watch movie.

Regards

Rajeev Roshan