Genre: Biography, Drama, History, War

Year: 2012

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, David Strathairn, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, James Spader

Director: Steven Spielberg

My Review: When someone endeavors to play a character as large as Abraham Lincoln there are millions of expectations. Daniel Day-Lewis lives up to those expectations. His portrayal was energetic, powerful and tasteful. Direction by Steven Spielberg was entertaining, triumphant, grand and powerful. The pacing was a bit slow but filled with tension and apprehension. In my opinion the pacing was perfect. This movie shouldn't be an action film - thank you! A movie that tackles some of the most contentious issues of our nation - Civil War and the Abolition of slavery should not be rushed. Wasting no time on the less dramatic parts of Mr. Lincoln's life, the movie launches directly into the fray by skipping Lincoln's childhood, upbringing or ascent to Presidency. The movie picks up in the midst of civil war, allowing the screenplay time to examine the pertinent aspects of civil war and abolition. We're also given the spectacle of political wrangling - no less contentious than it is today. The Confederacy saw the writing on the wall, and now was the chance to derail any abolition in the rush to peace. If the nation had capitulated on that foundation of morals, the South would know that it was a hollow platitude offered simply as a means of attracting the righteous to a cause. A biographical saga of which portrays the best that our Democracy has to offer. We can be right, we can be just, we can be a shining beacon for hope. All we need is the right person to light the way. Lincoln was that person a powerful honorable man with the strength to do what was right. Tony Kushner's screenplay is outstanding daring to reveal the political highs and lows needed to ensure a lasting and just future for our nation. This is more than a biographical piece, it is drama, high drama. The acting by all involved (Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, David Strathairn, James Spader, Hal Holbrook, Tommy Lee Jones and many others) was outstanding. The screenplay truly worthy of the subject. The camera work, sets, costumes and production work absolutely the best. I give it a 5 out of 5.

Summary: