Lincoln (2012) by The Critical Movie Critics

Movie Review: Lincoln (2012)


Lincoln (2012) by The Critical Movie Critics

Leading the North.

In 2012, Abraham Lincoln is on currency, in hundreds of dusty books, and sitting in a chair in his own memorial at one end of the National Mall. His image is stale; he is not a man, but an unknowable symbol. Steven Spielberg, however, fashions the legend into a flesh and blood human being in his biopic Lincoln. This Abraham (Daniel Day-Lewis) tells jokes, argues with his wife, and walks with a hunch in his shoulders as if an imaginary weight bears down on them. Lincoln is no longer just 25% of Mt. Rushmore, he is the most fascinating, sympathetic, and memorable character you will see on a movie screen this year.

Hard choices must be made to tell Abraham Lincoln’s story. Do you start with his birth and childhood? Do you cover his early legal and congressional career? Which part of his presidency do you focus on and if you include the assassination, will that be most of the story or just the end? Spielberg and writer Tony Kushner, who bases his screenplay on Doris Kearns Goodwin’s book “Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln,” decide to focus not just on Lincoln’s presidency, but on a very specific time just after his re-election in January 1865. The Civil War is entering its fourth year and hundreds of thousands are dead on bloodied battlefields, yet there is a sense in the air that the war’s conclusion is near. It is anyone’s guess how it will end, but that does not stop them from discussing what will come after during Reconstruction. Some argue for the Union to take revenge against the south instead of leniency, some argue for a negotiated peace instead of an official surrender, and some argue for slavery’s return instead of full abolition.

Lincoln knows full well that at the war’s end, the courts may declare his Emancipation Proclamation illegal. The only way to ensure slavery’s demise is to pass an amendment to the Constitution (today it is the 13th Amendment). To do that, the House of Representatives must vote in favor of it with a two-thirds majority. But in 1865, there is no shortage of Congressmen who remain pro-slavery and dead set against the equaling of the races which they see as naturally separated by God. Convincing men to change their long standing beliefs seems an impossible task, and it is this task Lincoln, his Cabinet, and his cronies must accomplish if they hope to succeed.

Anyone paying attention in high school knows about the 13th Amendment and ultimately knows what will happen in the end. Therefore, it is a true credit to Spielberg, Kushner, and the cast that the process of its life in Congress is fraught with tension, suspense, and real emotions. Secretary of State Seward (David Strathairn) marshals the men who will do the arm twisting. The arm twisters, including Mr. Bilbo (James Spader) and Mr. Latham (John Hawkes) are greasy insiders promising patronage jobs and many other enticements to the fence-sitters. The fence-sitters are being pulled and pushed by their Congressional leaders including Thaddeus Stevens (Tommy Lee Jones) and Preston Blair (Hal Holbrook). Observing their debates from the balcony is Mary Todd Lincoln (Sally Field) who feels some shame from her earlier bouts of grief and depression over her deceased son Willie, yet remains determined to keep her oldest son, Robert (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), from enlisting.

Lincoln (2012) by The Critical Movie Critics

Looking presidential.

Behind all of this vast political machinery, corruption, debating, and harsh words stands a weary man quick to tell a witty story to make his point and lead a torn country towards his vision of a united future. Lincoln is a masterpiece of filmmaking and is an unforgettable film to watch in a theater. It will be nominated for an array of Oscars with wins most likely for Day-Lewis and Spielberg. Daniel Day-Lewis may be the most gifted actor currently working when his chooses to take on a role, which only happens every other year or so (everybody still remembers Daniel Plainview from “There Will Be Blood” and Bill ‘The Butcher’ Cutting from “Gangs of New York“). He raises his voice by what sounds like an entire octave to speak in what the historians say was Lincoln’s higher-pitched tone. He looks down at the table or the ground when in conversation but when required, he will command the room’s attention when he knows he must bind people together to do the right thing.

Crafting a biopic around a man as iconic as Abraham Lincoln requires a firm hand and concrete decision-making. If you include too much material from too many episodes in his life, the movie will feel stretched, light, and make much less of an impact on the audience because of its lack of depth in any particular area. By focusing Lincoln on a very specific and limited time frame, shaping the central conflict over one of the most transformative constitutional amendments, and employing actors who all give superior performances based on a stellar script, Spielberg has made what will most likely be the best film of the year and one which all should take the time and go see.

Critical Movie Critic Rating:
5 Star Rating: Fantastic

5

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'Movie Review: Lincoln (2012)' have 13 comments

  1. The Critical Movie Critics

    November 15, 2012 @ 10:32 pm Sparling

    The takeaway from Lincoln is politicians were just as dirty then as they are now.

  2. The Critical Movie Critics

    November 15, 2012 @ 11:00 pm Porknog

    The Oscar is Day-Lewis’. No contest – just give it to him now and be done with it.

    • The Critical Movie Critics

      November 16, 2012 @ 6:00 pm Baconator

      Same could be said for Spielberg.

  3. The Critical Movie Critics

    November 15, 2012 @ 11:26 pm Grasshopper

    SPOILER ALERT: Lincoln gets shot and dies.

  4. The Critical Movie Critics

    November 16, 2012 @ 5:07 am Lain

    One can only hope the powdered wig makes a comeback. Not only does Tommy Lee Jones own the part of Thaddeus Stevens he makes it look good too.

  5. The Critical Movie Critics

    November 16, 2012 @ 10:19 am Chloe

    My only gripe is the ending. Spielberg should have ended the film with Lee’s surrender at Appomattox. The addition of Lincoln’s assassination was unnecessary.

  6. The Critical Movie Critics

    November 16, 2012 @ 12:22 pm Aspie182

    Not much of a biopic. Damn good movie about the passage of the 13th ammendment but not a Lincoln biography.

  7. The Critical Movie Critics

    November 16, 2012 @ 12:41 pm chacha

    Lincoln is Spielberg at his directorial best. He made dramatic and engaging the political process which is, if you’ve ever watched CSPAN, a drag to watch.

    • The Critical Movie Critics

      November 17, 2012 @ 1:35 pm Luraly

      Not his best. Character arcs for Mary (Sally Field) and Robert (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) were incomplete. “Saving Private Ryan” is still his best work.

  8. The Critical Movie Critics

    November 16, 2012 @ 2:43 pm Ramses

    Movie made me respect Lincoln all the more.

    • The Critical Movie Critics

      November 16, 2012 @ 9:06 pm Huff

      Hear, hear!

  9. The Critical Movie Critics

    November 18, 2012 @ 6:41 pm Eve

    Daniel Day-Lewis is the greatest character actor alive today. The Oscar is his.

  10. The Critical Movie Critics

    November 23, 2012 @ 7:13 am wrathofthetitans

    nice biography movie,great watch.

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