Academy members look not as much for “feel-good” movies, critic Ann Hornaday wrote in a recent Washington Post article — but for “feel-deeply” movies. These are the films that become “Best Picture.”

Not always, but sometimes. This year, yes.

I had seen almost all  the nominated films by the time I made my way to “12 Years.” I’d hesitated at first, heard it was hard to watch — and it was. But when the film ended and I walked, half-dazed, out of the theater that cold gray Saturday, I felt emptied and re-filled. It was the kind of movie experience you have once or twice a year, if you’re lucky.

It was a reminder that nothing beats superb acting and straight story-telling, building to a powerful conclusion. It was a true catharsis – for the main character and for the movie-goers who took the journey with him.

(Taken last year at one of the great old theaters.)