12 years a slave (film review)

Film Review 12 Years a Slave Based on a true story, 12 Years a Slave depicts the journey of a free black man in the 1840s that is kidnapped and sold into southern slavery. Aside from the captivating story and tremendous acting, the historical accuracy of slavery during this time is gut retching. The director, Steve McQueen, does a remarkable job executing the transition of Solomon Northup’s autobiography into a live action film, but what makes this movie so captivating? What about the film makes the audience establish a new perspective on America’s dark past? The following analysis will provide some insight to the film and the story and explore why this movie will not only leave you in tears, but cause you to have a new found respect for people that endured a life of slavery. Before I jump into the meat of the discussion and share my thoughts it is important to begin with a clear understanding of the film’s story. In the opening scene we are introduced to Solomon Northup as a slave. The film continues with a series of flashbacks between his present slave life and his previous life as a free man. For the sake of clarity I will summarize the film in historical order. Solomon Northup, played by Chiwetel Ejiofor, grew up as a freeman in upstate New York. His skills consisted of reading and writing, and he was also a very talented violinist. Solomon was a well-respected man among his community and was just like another other family man. Wife to Anne Hampton and father of two, Margaret and Alonzo; Solomon had the life most slaves would never experience. One day Solomon runs into two men who offer him a job opportunity to which he accepts. He tells his family goodbye and believes he is on the road to his new job. Instead they drug Solomon, and sell him to the slave trade. Confused and shocked, Solomon is thrust into the horrors and cruelty of the slave trade. Claiming he was a freeman was not enough to spare his freedom. From the moment he was captured to the