Movie Adaptation Review: 12 Years a Slave

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  MOVIE ADAPTATION of 12 Years a Slave read my review on Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup

"Well I don't want to survive. I want to live."

Just finished watching this Oscar-winning movie, and I am so glad the movie covered all the important scenes in the book, and made it a lot more gripping than the book itself. If you've read my book review on Twelve Years a Slave, I feel there are some parts that feels pretty flat - so I'm glad the movie adaptation only portrayed the important and influential scenes. For those of you who haven't read the book or watched the movie adaptation, I think it would be a lot easier if you just watch the movie - because both are practically the same thing :) So here's my review on the movie adaptation for 12 Years a Slave.

The movie starts with a glimpse of Solomon's life as a slave, and then shifted to his life as a free man - where he has a loving family and he is respected among people. Then he directly met with two guys who offered him a job as a musician; and he goes with them while his wife and children are away on a trip. Then things start getting worse and worse, from the point when Solomon found himself handcuffed and got whipped when declared he was a free man. This story portrays the life and misery of Solomon, living as a slave for twelve long years.

As I have said earlier, the movie covered all the important scenes in the book; and I think it also illustrates the whole story a lot better than the writing. When I read the book, I couldn't really imagine all the emotions involved with the characters; but the movie doesn't need all that description - because I can just look in the actor's eyes, and it totally breaks my heart. I almost cannot believe this kind of situation really happened back in those years; where people treated another human being like they treated animals (or even worse, they call them 'property'). Just too much emotion in one movie.

There are so many great and emotional scenes in the movie that I absolutely loved. The first one, is when Patsey (played by Lupita Nyong'o) begged Solomon to just end her life as a form of kindness to her. How her voice quiver with emotion, how her face just translates all the misery in her life - it's just perfect. It almost seems like dying would be the greatest pleasure in Patsey's life. My second favorite scene is when Uncle Abram was buried after his death. All the slaves are singing a gospel song, Roll Jordan Roll; but at first Solomon (played by Chiwetel Ejiofor) just stood still. After some time, he then started singing his heart out; and the look on his face gives me all the feels. He definitely portrayed the emotions extremely well - even though this scene doesn't exist in the original book. For those who haven't seen the movie, watch the singing clip below :')

And my last (but not least) favorite scene in the movie has to be the ending, (I don't know if this is spoiler, but I guess it's kind of obvious anyway) when Solomon is finally reunited with his family. In the book it doesn't feel as emotional; but the movie adaptation totally moved me to tears. ㅠ_____ㅠ The way Solomon tried so hard to apologize to his family for his absence twelve long years, just literally made me cry. Oh the feels! A beautiful, and grand ending to the amazing movie adaptation. Bravo, Steve McQueen.

The actors and actresses in this movie just amazed me! Fantastic performance :)) As I've said before, I really admired Chiwetel Ejiofor's portrayal of Solomon Northup and also Lupita Nyong'o's portrayal of Patsey. Both are really strong characters and definitely leaves a deep impression. For those of you who read my Top 5 Wednesday: Top Characters You Hate post, you will know that I hate Edwin Epps character (played by Michael Fassbender). Epps character in this movie is as hateful (or maybe even worse) than he is in the book. He's so cruel and just pure evil (I hate him even more when he uses the Bible to justify his actions). But as much as I hated his character, I cannot hate Michael Fassbender! I kind of prefer him as Magneto :3 Anyway, he also did a great job portraying Epps' character. I just hope people won't start hating Michael Fassbender because of this movie.

Overall it was an awesome and brilliant movie. The tone and color of the movie is so beautiful; and every scene perfectly illustrates the sorrow of slavery. I can't say I enjoyed the movie; because seeing those people getting whipped with scars all over their backs is just miserable and sad. This movie is not fun to watch, because there are no happy times in here - but it definitely overflows me with emotions. It is a great movie adaptation, and I absolutely loved it much more than the book :)

"My back is thick with scars for protesting my freedom."

by.stefaniesugia♥ .