MICHAEL FASSBENDER X 2
Michael Fassbender has become a phenomenal performer and sex symbol very quickly, respected for his incredible passionate performances and considered as one of the sexiest men alive, desired by both genders. Within the last few years, he appeared in polemic productions granting him an honorable status, getting awards recognition and also making his way into popularity, being part of a blockbuster franchise. Two winters ago, he conceived two unforgettable roles, as a psychoanalyst and a sex-addict, but he was snubbed by the Academy. Perhaps this season could turn things up for the acclaimed 36 year-old Irish-German gorgeous actor who’s been collecting Oscar praises for his brutal character in “12 Years A Slave” and also proving his charming attributes with his elegant and sensible lawman-turned-criminal in “The Counselor”. But there’s an enormous difference between these two titles. The first one is a rich achievement, his latest collaboration with British director Steve McQueen, a strong Oscar front-runner, undoubtedly one of this year’s best experiences, while the second is a complete failure, an equivocated mistake of Ridley Scott’s uninteresting look on sophisticated and psychological violence.
Based on the real events occurred to Solomon Northup, a free black man known for his musical talents who is abducted and sold into slavery, “12” is McQueen’s best and most accomplished film, a powerful drama who gives the audience the chills of the protagonist’s experience of despair and brutality, one of a kind that will live for many generations alerting on people’s rights. The director is able to combine a perfect harmony between his artistic benefits and an accessible historical language meant to educate and shock. It seems like a perfect match of a profound and visionary art cinema and a story to be told to the crowds. Its strong, raw, truthful portrait of suffering, hopelessness and desire, surely makes it a spectacular unique experience, allowing the film all honors it can possibly get. Chiwetel Ejifor is magnificent as Solomon, while Adepero Oduye as a mother mourning for her children and Lupita Nyong’o as the young slave who’s the object of Fassbender’s obsession give heartbreaking performances with their personification of agony and loss. And Fassbender is mesmerizing as Edwin Epps, an extremely abusive planter, a ‘lord’ confused and divided by his tempestuous instincts of power, lust and brutality. The cinematography, editing and score also contribute to make it a contemporary masterpiece, hard to see but irresistible for its cinematic skills. On the other hand, “The Counselor” is a tremendous waste of collective talent, a real recipe for disaster. Respected director Scott teamed up with awarded screenwriter Cormac McCarthy and an exuberant cast, but the result is confusing and phony. Not even the sex appeal of Penelope Cruz, Cameron Diaz and Brad Pitt can save it. Only those who admire Fassbender can be pleased for satisfying takes on his deep blue eyes and irresistible moves. He managed to appear in the best and the worst at the same season and deserves to be celebrated as one of Cinema’s most gifted actors. Congrats!
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