Lincoln (A or 4/4 stars)
When developing 'Lincoln', the best decision made by director Steven Spielberg & his screenwriter Tony Kushner was to confine the story to a 1-month period: January 1865, when Abraham Lincoln won, perhaps, his greatest victory. We do not get a Greatest Hits account of Honest Abe's life. i.e., hearing his Gettsyburg Address. And his assassination (filmed as a postscript scene) occurs off-screen. So by showing his private & public struggle to both free the slaves & end The Civil War in succession, 'Lincoln' paints a powerful portrait of the man who has become an icon for the last 147 years.
Lincoln is regarded as an idealist/opportunist who accomplished what no other president before him could. We read about him in history books & comprehend that he was a "great man". But this film shows us more: that he's a smart, almost downhome gentleman whose greatest asset is playing the game of politics. Underestimated by his opponents, he outmaneuvers & outsmarts seasoned veterans & ultimately comes away with a win that alters the course of our history. In between the maneuvers, he enjoys telling anecdotes & stories (just to pass the time, or to make a point, or even to distract). After having seen this movie, you'll have no doubts as to why Lincoln is regarded as one of the greatest presidents we've ever had.
'Lincoln' is part character study, part period political thriller. It shows the sometimes-dirty tactics (i.e., patronage positions as bribes) employed by Lincoln & his right hand men to forge the bipartisan coalition necessary for the House of Representatives to pass the 13th Amendment (abolishing slavery). To achieve this, he must avoid even one single Republican defection & gain at least 20(!) votes from the bigoted Democrats. The task seems nearly impossible, but Lincoln is relentless in his pursuit. At the same time, he seeks to close out the Civil War on his terms (that the passing of the 13th Amendment is not a bargaining chip in discussions with the Confederacy). All the while, the desire of his oldest son, Robert (a solid Joseph Gordon-Levitt), to drop out of college and enlist in the army creates tension btwn. Abraham & his wife, Mary (Sally Field); who had a history of taking her grief, anger, & disappointments out on her husband.
'Lincoln' presents a rich portrait of the titular character; it is absolutely gorgeous to watch; and it is wonderfully effective in showing how government, ahem, operated in the 1860's. Some of the insults thrown by the likes of radical Republican, Thaddeus Stevens (Tommy Lee Jones) would shock & outrage congressman today. The mudslinging inside the House was shocking to hear. And some things NEVER change; like the under-the-table deals & compromises mandated to avoid gridlock. Also noteworthy is the ease with which normal citizens once gained access to the president and/or the White House. I found that fascinating.
Daniel Day-Lewis is simply remarkable as Lincoln; warm, humorous, playful, yet persuasive & utterly commanding when he needs to be. The physical resemblance is amazing in & of itself, but this isn't a case of DDL looking like the president ... it's a case of his becoming him. Sally Field {who fought hard for the role}, as Lincoln's emotionally unstable wife, is shatteringly good; toning down some of her usual (yet usually good) acting ticks. I was riveted whenever she was onscreen. Tommy Lee Jones is exceptional as the fiery, passionate Thaddeus Stevens. And in smaller, yet no less important roles, the likes of David Strathairn (as Secretary of State Seward, who initiates behind-the-scenes action to insure the democrat vote), Hal Holbrook, James Spader {so funny}, John Hawkes, Jackie Earle Haley, Lee Pace, & Gloria Reuben (as Mary Lincoln's dresser) impress, as well. This is the best ensemble acting that I've witnessed in a movie in a long, long time.
For Steven Spielberg, this represents a strong return to form, & a reaffirmation that he can accomplish overwhelming excellence on a movie screen. Yes, 'Lincoln' tells a history lesson. But it brings the past vividly to life in such a way that you forget you are watching a film and not real life unfold. Since middle school, I have read books & articles about Lincoln's presidency, The Civil War, & the 13th Ammendment. I have been to the Lincoln Memorial & seen biographies. And yet ... at no time have I ever felt as knowledgeable or as close to the real-life figure as I did while watching this superb movie.
Lincoln is regarded as an idealist/opportunist who accomplished what no other president before him could. We read about him in history books & comprehend that he was a "great man". But this film shows us more: that he's a smart, almost downhome gentleman whose greatest asset is playing the game of politics. Underestimated by his opponents, he outmaneuvers & outsmarts seasoned veterans & ultimately comes away with a win that alters the course of our history. In between the maneuvers, he enjoys telling anecdotes & stories (just to pass the time, or to make a point, or even to distract). After having seen this movie, you'll have no doubts as to why Lincoln is regarded as one of the greatest presidents we've ever had.
'Lincoln' is part character study, part period political thriller. It shows the sometimes-dirty tactics (i.e., patronage positions as bribes) employed by Lincoln & his right hand men to forge the bipartisan coalition necessary for the House of Representatives to pass the 13th Amendment (abolishing slavery). To achieve this, he must avoid even one single Republican defection & gain at least 20(!) votes from the bigoted Democrats. The task seems nearly impossible, but Lincoln is relentless in his pursuit. At the same time, he seeks to close out the Civil War on his terms (that the passing of the 13th Amendment is not a bargaining chip in discussions with the Confederacy). All the while, the desire of his oldest son, Robert (a solid Joseph Gordon-Levitt), to drop out of college and enlist in the army creates tension btwn. Abraham & his wife, Mary (Sally Field); who had a history of taking her grief, anger, & disappointments out on her husband.
'Lincoln' presents a rich portrait of the titular character; it is absolutely gorgeous to watch; and it is wonderfully effective in showing how government, ahem, operated in the 1860's. Some of the insults thrown by the likes of radical Republican, Thaddeus Stevens (Tommy Lee Jones) would shock & outrage congressman today. The mudslinging inside the House was shocking to hear. And some things NEVER change; like the under-the-table deals & compromises mandated to avoid gridlock. Also noteworthy is the ease with which normal citizens once gained access to the president and/or the White House. I found that fascinating.
Daniel Day-Lewis is simply remarkable as Lincoln; warm, humorous, playful, yet persuasive & utterly commanding when he needs to be. The physical resemblance is amazing in & of itself, but this isn't a case of DDL looking like the president ... it's a case of his becoming him. Sally Field {who fought hard for the role}, as Lincoln's emotionally unstable wife, is shatteringly good; toning down some of her usual (yet usually good) acting ticks. I was riveted whenever she was onscreen. Tommy Lee Jones is exceptional as the fiery, passionate Thaddeus Stevens. And in smaller, yet no less important roles, the likes of David Strathairn (as Secretary of State Seward, who initiates behind-the-scenes action to insure the democrat vote), Hal Holbrook, James Spader {so funny}, John Hawkes, Jackie Earle Haley, Lee Pace, & Gloria Reuben (as Mary Lincoln's dresser) impress, as well. This is the best ensemble acting that I've witnessed in a movie in a long, long time.
For Steven Spielberg, this represents a strong return to form, & a reaffirmation that he can accomplish overwhelming excellence on a movie screen. Yes, 'Lincoln' tells a history lesson. But it brings the past vividly to life in such a way that you forget you are watching a film and not real life unfold. Since middle school, I have read books & articles about Lincoln's presidency, The Civil War, & the 13th Ammendment. I have been to the Lincoln Memorial & seen biographies. And yet ... at no time have I ever felt as knowledgeable or as close to the real-life figure as I did while watching this superb movie.