Directed By: Steve McQueen
Written By: Steve McQueen and John Ridley
Cast: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Brad Pitt, Paul Dano, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Giamatti, Quvenzhané Wallis, Scoot McNairy, Garrett Dillahunt, Sarah Paulson, Michael Kenneth Williams, Taran Killiam, Dwight Henry, Adepero Oduye, Bryan Batt, Alfre Woodard
Synopsis: 12 Years a Slave is based on the 1853 autobiography of Solomon Northup, a free black man who was kidnapped in Washington D.C in 1841 and sold into slavery. He worked on plantations in the state of Louisiana for 12 years before his release.
Why It Could Succeed: Steve McQueen is a great filmmaker and is currently batting 2-2 in terms of his film output. Though he’s tackled some tough subject matter in the past, his films always leave an impression on the viewer both thematically and visually. There’s never a moment in his films where you feel that he’s going to far because he takes great care to only use what will be in service of the story. Taking on serious subject matter seriously is welcomed in a world where we get watered down versions of history. The Academy likes to reward ambition and taking on a much less discussed aspect of slavery, the illegal enslavement of freed African Americans, is something that should earn him a lot of admirers. The biggest plus outside of sheer thematic weight is the amazing cast. McQueen is like a savant when it comes to pulling intense, richly layered performances from actors and he’s got some great ones lined up. Many people already have Ejiofor and Fassbender penciled in as early contenders, and that kind of attention can only help a film like this.
Why It Could Fail: Steve McQueen doesn’t make films that are easy to digest and while that makes him great, it doesn’t necessarily win you awards. We’ve seen time and time again that in order to win you need people to like the film and if this is anything as unrepentant as Hunger or Shame, it’ll have a serious uphill climb to win. Taking on serious subject matter seriously can easily turn people off because they just won’t go see the movie, and that’s something you don’t need come awards time. You also have the problem that in each category this film will be competeing with is chock full of established properties that will certainly be easier to digest. Also, as mentioned above this is a story about slavery but this ain’t Django Unchained where there is some sort of violent comeuppance and B-movie appearances. This also ins’t a tale where there’s a main white savior figure that swoops in to help or has their mind changed based on their relationship with a minority. Clayton also touched on this a bit in his newest article, but minorities do have a tough time winning major prizes and Precious is the ONLY film in the entire history of the Oscars to be written by, directed by, star and be about African Americans to be nominated for Best Picture/Director/Screenplay. Those are some tough odds the film will have to overcome.
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Tags: Adepero Oduye, Alfre Woodard, Awards Profile, benedict cumberbatch, Brad Pitt, Bryan Batt, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Dwight Henry, Garrett Dillahunt, John Ridley, Michael Fassbender, Oscar hopeful, Paul Dano, Paul Giamatti, Quvenzhané Wallis, Sarah Paulson, Scoot McNairy, Steve McQueen, Taran Killiam, Twelve Years A Slave
5 Comments
I’m a believer.
Mark Johnson(Quote) (Reply)
This is my early pick to win best picture. This is the right year, the right subject matter, and the right cast. I just have a strong feeling about it.
Jeremy DC(Quote) (Reply)
I’m a little bit affraid that this movie can be more like “Lawless” last year: quite high expectations and no buzz before awards season. Otherwise, it looks like the best shot for S. McQueen to be nominated.
Genadijus(Quote) (Reply)
This is more like it. I thought SHAME was brilliant, the subject matter is emotionally compelling (far more so than THE MONUMENTS MEN), and the cast is superb. Really excited for this one.
JamDenTel(Quote) (Reply)
I’m not sure why you picked those 2 for supporting actresses, the biggest female role is from newcomer Lupita Nyong”O. She was fantastic. Brad Pitt is barely in it so he’s not getting nominated for that. Saw a test screening.
Melissa(Quote) (Reply)