MOVIE REVIEW: Lincoln (2012)

Steven Spielberg, ever the consummate filmmaker, delivers a pensive, and thought-provoking account of President Abraham Lincoln's last four months in office. As with most films who's subject is a non-fictional character, I entered Lincoln with a sense of open-mindedness in considering which direction the story will go in. Although I would have liked to have seen some other areas of Lincoln's story elaborated on, as a film on his greatest achievement, this is a fine work, indeed.

Written by acclaimed playwright Tony Kushner, the story deals with the battles Lincoln undertook from within his cabinet to get the 13th Amendment, the Emancipation Proclamation, ratified in an attempt to end the Civil War. By abolishing slavery in the Union, Lincoln was convinced this amendment would make the Union look more sympathetic to abolitionists and slaves alike. Along with the ensuing political gridlock, he audience also gets a glimpse into his family life, detailing his strained marriage to his wife, and struggle with his eldest son's choice to join the army.

This film, in general, is a treat for history buffs. Those who revel in production aesthetics will be overjoyed by the 1860s costumes, Colonial architecture, and the detail Kushner and the actors have paid towards the speech and dialogue. The acting is outstanding, and I wouldn't be surprised if Lincoln collects the SAG award for Best Ensemble this year. It's no surprise that the biggest stars deliver the most notable performances. Tommy Lee Jones steals every scene he's in as the curmudgeonous Thaddeus Stevens. Sally Field as Mary Todd Lincoln does not get a lot of screen time, but portrays Mrs. Lincoln's fragility and mercurial personality perfectly. Daniel Day-Lewis...words alone will not do justice for the talent he brings as our 16th president, right down to the distinct inflection of his voice he brings Lincoln to life. I expect to see much news of him, come awards season.

So my criticisms of Lincoln relate mainly to the execution of the story itself. The title implies a biography, but Lincoln is nothing of the sort; just a chronicle of the man's most important moment of his entire presidency. The title's basically a draw-in; it would've been more appropriate and honest to call it something more related to the subject matter. Speaking of which, the glimpses and melodrama we observe of Lincoln's family are some of the most dramatic moments from a theatrical perspective. It's not to say Spielberg wasted some fine opportunities to explore these areas, but when one looks at something like The Godfather and says there can't be an argument made for great character drama in a contrasting story, I become skeptical.

Nonetheless, I still consider Lincoln one of the best films, albeit a flawed one, that 2012 had to offer.

8/10

Peace,
- Jon