This film could've been more powerful if it hadn't gone for the cheap, easy, hilljack with a whip character slathered throughout. What I will commend are two things: the performance of Chiwetel Ejiofor, which should win the Oscar for best actor (and he won't, i guarantee it), and the cinematography. There are many shots of dusk, dawn, and trees. These represent things that are contrasting each other, such as the fragility and constant movement of time, and the stoic presence of something that always continues to thrive and survive. The trees are always omnipresent. I thought at first McQueen was trying to say, "see this is what blacks were hanged on" but I think it was deeper than that. Of course there are some really painful scenes that are hard to watch...it's pretty much obligatory in a film dealing with slavery. But there are some very poignant moments that aren't overt and obvious, and that has to be recognized.

The character played by Paul Dano and the actors playing the nappers and overseers are throwaways...but Michael Fassbender's character is interesting. He's maniacal and instantly you will hate him; but kind of like the Ralph Fiennes character in "Schindler's List", there's something else going on underneath that's compelling. Brad Pitt's character's a bit preachy and easy to like...I mean, he's Brad Pitt.

Overall it's worth watching. It is still stunning how this was our culture for so many years, and Steve McQueen is British, so it's not like this is just some "Let's show my America's past!!!". And the last scene is very emotional.

I just wish there was more character development in some of the ancillary characters. Sometimes it just becomes a bit lazy in the storytelling. But it is a very worthwhile film.

out of

I liked it. It's the best of the nominated films I've seen (been renting them the last few weeks as they've gone to DVD). Lupita Nyong'o was rather regular in this film. Not blown away by her acting. I think they gave her the Oscar because of the empathy evoked by the character rather than the performance of the actress. Should have given it to June Squibb.

I agree about Fassbender's character, Zack. I'm thinking now of when he goes to Solomon during the night about Solomon's plan to have that white laborer deliver a letter. The way he just stares at Solomon in the lantern light (which felt like an eternity), trying to figure out if he's lying, is my favorite scene. You're just waiting for him to go apeshit and do something psychotic. He portrays subdued madness very well.

Pitt's appearance made me cringe. Too preachy and clunky.

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Back off, Warchild. Seriously.

it's like he's telegraphing the fact that he, in fact, hates himself too...he's insecure and he's completely emasculated by his wife. he doesn't hate his slaves. he's an incredibly conflicted and flawed character, but he's not "evil". he's just maniacal. he doesn't know what he wants, in a logical sense.

I love to watch Paul Dano get his ass kicked.

He looks like an entitled sniveling little shit. He is typecast as an entitled, sniveling little shit. He may be a great guy in real life but I just get joy to watch him get a beatdown in movies.

12 Years a Slave, There Will Be Blood...are there other movies out there where I can see him take a punch?

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.