Two Jews On Twelve Years A Slave

’12 Years A Slave’ directed by the extremely talented, Steve McQueen, (‘Shame’) is simply put…Brilliant.

Written by John Ridley, based on Solomon Northrup’s best selling memoir, published over 160 years ago, this is a true story of one man’s fight for survival and freedom.

Eight years before the Civil War, Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor) a free black man, from upstate New York, is abducted on a trip to Washington D.C.and sold into slavery.

Facing extraordinary cruelty, by a malevolent slave owner, Edwin Epps (the always wonderful, Michael Fassbender) Solomon struggles not only to stay alive, but to retain his dignity. When the film opens, we find Northup, an accomplished musician, living with his wife and children, in a lovely middle class neighborhood in Saratoga Springs, New York. He is surrounded by people who like and respect him. Life is good.

Unfortunately, It’s not long before Northup is drugged, stripped of his papers, shackled and sold to a heartless slave trader,(Paul Giamatti) Are there any other kind?

He is quickly shipped off to Louisiana, where he is at the mercy of a series of plantation owners, including William Ford (Benedict Cumberbatch) and the above mentioned, Epps.

While Solomon takes comfort in his friendships with his fellow slaves, Eliza (Adepero Oduye) and Patsey (Lupita Nyong’o) his mind and body are pushed to horrific limits at the whims of his captors.

Still, no matter how much brutality he is forced to endure, Solomon never succumbs to hopelessness and holds onto the belief that one day, he will be a FREE man.

’12 Years A Slave’ is powerful, intense, inspiring, and at times, extremely hard to watch…But at the same time, this exquisite film is a testament to the human spirit.

The supporting cast includes:…Alfre Woodard, who plays Mrs. Shaw, a black woman, who was once a slave, but now, she’s married to a white plantation owner, with slaves of her own…

Paul Dano, as a sadistic plantation overseer and Sarah Paulson, Epps jealous, angry wife, who takes her rage out on the slaves and…

Brad Pitt, who’s not only one of the Producers, but also plays a pivotal role in the film as a Canadian abolitionist.

I gave ’12 Years A Slave’, which opens Friday October 18, 2013, five bagels out of 5 and watch our video for more of our thoughts and to see John’s bagel score…HINT: It was the same as mine.

Podcast: Download

Author
Recent Posts

Joan and John Schwartz

Joan and John Schwartz are ex New Yorkers, living in Los Angeles. They are married and see a lot of films. They usually disagree but always tell it like it is. John is most famous for creating the cult classic films Faces of Death. He has also written for various prime time series and has written movies for both Showtime and HBO. In the world of reality television John has produced, written and directed over 450 segments for various magazine shows He has also written and Executive Produced several Prime-Time Specials. Joan has appeared on the New York Stage on and off Broadway…and has been in several Los Angeles theater productions as well.. Joan has been in several low budget films and at present she is busy writing screenplays with her husband, John.

Latest posts by Joan and John Schwartz (see all)