Chiwetel Ejiofor stars in 12 Years A Slave
The timing of the Oscars creates havoc with Kiwi end-of-year
best-of lists. To qualify for an Oscar, a film has to have played in an
American theatre before the end of the previous year. But the marketing push
provided by awards season is too great for international distributors to
ignore, so they often hold on to movies most likely to get Oscar-recognition,
and release them in February, when the nominations have been announced and
awards anticipation is ramping up. It often results in a deluge of
"quality" films, some of which fail to live up to their early
positioning as prime Oscar candidates. This week sees the release of three
Oscar-y films of wildly varying quality - 12 Years A Slave, Labor Day and
Saving Mr. Banks.
With nine nominations, 12 Years A Slave is the film to beat
at this year's ceremony. Based on a true story, it tells the tale of Solomon
Northrup (English actor Chiwetel Ejiofor), a free black man who is kidnapped
and sold into slavery in pre-Civil War America. He endures unimaginable
suffering through his 12-year ordeal, and witnesses even worse treatment of
others.
The seriousness of the subject matter meant this film
screamed "Oscar bait" from the get-go, and consequently I went into
the cinema in a somewhat cynical frame of mind. It didn't take long for the
movie to shock me out of my ironic distance. This is powerful, heart-wrenching
filmmaking that stays with you long after the credits role.
Ejiofor's American accent isn't perfect, but his hugely
empathetic performance is a rock to cling to throughout the film's many
difficult scenes. The insanely talented supporting cast (Benedict Cumberbatch,
Michael Fassbender, Paul Dano and Sarah Paulson) all gamely embrace their
characters, who comprise some of the worst people ever seen in a movie. Lupita
Nyong'o also makes a huge impression as a fellow slave - she's all but assured
a highly deserved Best Supporting Actress win.
My cynicism reared its head slightly when producer Brad Pitt
turned up as virtuous soul who attempts to help Northrup, but by then I was
ready for any kind of relief. As intense as it can be, 12 Years A Slave must
absolutely be seen - it's a searing reminder of just how detestable human
beings can be to each other.
Director Jason Reitman's last two films (Up In The Air and
Young Adult) both received Oscar-love, and everyone clearly presumed his new
work Labor Day would continue the trend. Alas, the nomination-less film is a
ponderous misfire that elicited chuckles during its most serious moments. Josh
Brolin plays a kind-hearted escaped convict who forcibly takes shelter in the
home of a single mother played by Kate Winslet and her young son. Although
wary, both mother and son come to relish Brolin's presence.
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