Sunday 11 February 2018

Twelve Years a Slave (2013 Steve McQueen)

I've decided I don't like Steve McQueen much - this one at any rate - obviously no problem with the real Steve McQueen at all. Hunger is not a film I've managed to finish, and Shame not one I'm likely to revisit often  (though Carey Mulligan is great). And this is so relentless it's off-putting. Look, I know we're not supposed to enjoy a film about slavery in 1841 (in some ways, the film doesn't go far enough) but it is a merciless slog designed to provoke indignant wrath. It's like Schindler's List - a film you feel obliged to watch. Even the reasonably nice characters (Benedict Cumberbatch) aren't, and Michael Fassbender especially seems to relish playing a Class A cunt.

It all came about because Q said that Lupita Nyong'o was the first black woman to win an Oscar - not true actually - it was Hattie McDaniel - though it was the first time a black director won. Also didn't recognise Alfre Woodard as the lady who offers him tea and has risen out of cotton picking.

Naturally, in true life, Solomon didn't get justice for what had happened to him.

I deeply regretted suggesting it, though creatively, Hans Zimmer contributes some interesting music and there's no problem with Sean Bobbitt's photography nor Joe Walker's editing.

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