"A man is free to do as he pleases with his property." Edwin Epps
I acknowledge that 12 Years a Slave is a seminal movie. Everyone should see it. Students learning of America's history should see it. 12 Years a Slave and movies like it are a link to and bring alive our shared past. I hope this movie will be debated, discussed, and influence a generation.
On technical elements though, as this is a review of the film in addition to historical and social paradigms, I could not help but notice the great length that Steve McQueen, the director, went to jar the audience and perhaps unsettle the movie from a structural standpoint. He also may have been looking to differentiate himself from previous Antebellum South narratives like Roots. Roots is general example of classic style composition. For 12 Years a Slave, however, Mr. McQueen took every opportunity to place central action off of center. Standard shots like a group getting out of a wagon or disembarking a boat that normally would be a level mid shot, with characters shoulders at a rough 2/3 height of the screen become off angle shots on a dolly or a crane. Why? I cannot say exactly. But, it is jarring and more than a little unsettling throughout the course of the film. Whole conversations take place with characters only occupying 1/3 of the picture. I tend to find that most directors choose to bring dance to the screen through mid shots, rapid cut sequences and a focus on the feet, Mr. McQeen does his dance numbers in a off center long shots with focus on the shoulders and the facade. In the end, these deliberate choices may go on to define the enduring success of 12 Years a Slave in perpetuity as breaking the audiences sense of balance could make them more receptive to the performances and content.
On a scale of bold faced lies to immutable truths, I give 12 Years a Slave 4.0 out 5 stars.
No mention of Michael K. Williams in an amazing supporting role? Well actually he was in it just long enough for me to say "It's Michael K. Williams!' before he was shanked and tossed overboard.
ReplyDeleteAnyway excellent review, I usually find funny camera angles and odd cuts to be distracting and bothersome but in this case I found them to be endearing. Also The director clearly owes much in this movie to Terrence Malick as far as shot composition, I am a sucker for long silent close ups of unrelated animals to set the mood. That plus the excellent restraint the director showed in his use of music, made this movie a classic in my mind. So many movies have overbearing scores that pound home any attempt at emotion or tension in a scene that the absence of that was truly startling and beautiful.
I commend Steve McQueen for tackling this dark story and creating an unflinching account that forces the viewer to confront the past without sensationalism or anachronism.