It is January of 1865. The United States of America has been broken. The Rebel cause to the South--fighting mainly about slavery, opposes Union forces to the North. In the middle of this shattered nation is a man trying to end the conflict and heal a hurting people. He does this by trying to end the immediate civil war, yes. However, further, he is trying to end and forever resolve the primary source of the conflict. His name is Abraham Lincoln (Daniel Day-Lewis). Loved by many. Hated by many. Considered a dictatorial tyrant by many. Lincoln's charge is to create a 13th Amendment to the U. S. Constitution that will officially end slavery by freeing those held captive to that institution. It's quite the battle. After all, the fall of slavery to some brings great economic hardship; and, as we all know, money talks quite loudly in these great states of ours. Freeing slaves to many would be the same as saying that one's house is open game...that you no longer own your home and that it's free for anyone to stay at within any time. Simply put: slaves were fiscal assets to many. Ahh...the plot thickens, hey? With this in mind, Lincoln must sharpen his political wits and create enough incentive for those neigh-sayers to side with him and have this Constitutional Amendment passed. Further, he must accomplish this before the war ends to ensure the end of slavery. End the war? End slavery? He wants both and sets to the task. Yadayadayada...while the war rages and begins to wane on the battlefield, it is just getting started in the House as a history-changer realizes his day.
It's good. It's very, actually. I'll go with 4.5 Stars but be warned. This is a movie that not everyone will embrace. The focus brings to attention a real-life look at that era and its numerous struggles. That strife is presented with great realism and attention to detail...historical detail. If you are looking for a period piece that glamorizes war and the battle of the states, make a request to Mel Gibson. I'm confident that he can create a film similar to The Patriot, just set about a hundred years later. This one, however...Lincoln, is about raw history. Our theater was sold-out and the credits brought a splattering of applause. I was among those clapping. The rest might have been asleep. In fact, one guy stood up and proudly exclaimed that it got good right when he fell asleep. Undoubtedly, he and possibly others, were expecting something that focused on the civil war or maybe the plot to kill Lincoln. That expectation was certainly a possibility in my mind before settling into this 149 minute flick. The object with Spielberg's Lincoln, however, was to rely on history to tell a great story, while shelving possible Hollywood-esque plot twists and fascinating explosions.
Spielberg takes us to that era very effectively. After all, it is a different time. The office of the President was not then, what it is today. In many ways, Lincoln is treated as just another guy in Washington. Yes, he is the president and that is clear, but prestige had yet to catch up with the power of the office. The president entering the room, was not necessarily cause for everyone to stand in attentive awe. His procession was met with mere and often disinterested glances, as was often his presence. Real stuff for that era. Good stuff.
Another case it point to the reality presented in the movie: Lincoln's popularity. In studying the Lincoln Assassination Conspiracy in greater detail in preparation for a D.C. trip, I learned much of the reality that opposed traditional thinking. I had always thought that Lincoln was a beloved man in all circles. Not so fast, my friend. The reality paints quite a different picture. His image was quite split when he walked among us and that is accurately portrayed in the film. Yes, he was loved in some pockets, while he was hated in others. Again: realism reigns.
If realism was indeed, the goal here, I knew that several factors would play a role. The accuracy of the era, yes; but also the acting. Spielberg hits a homerun with the former and Day-Lewis and company all hit grand-slams with the latter. This is a definite Oscar nomination for Day-Lewis certainly, as his portrayal of such an historical icon was amazingly outstanding. From the 'look' to his approach and demeanor, this was undoubtedly the challenge of a lifetime for all involved in bringing this character back from the history books to the big screen. Day-Lewis was not alone, however, and far from it. He shares the spotlight with David Strathairn, who was wonderful as Secretary of State William Seward. Sally Field was tremendous as Mary Todd; while Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Gulliver McGrath played the sons.
Should you see this one BIG. That really depends on you. If your cranium clock ticks with historical chimes, you will love this movie. If you need to see Tinsel Town shine with special effects that overshadow realism, you will probably find disappointment. I loved it and will, undoubtedly watch it again. Lincoln presents a great opportunity to watch the inevitability of a hard prejudice rightfully die; and, as we all know, once a debate begins about a prejudice...whether it is slavery, civil rights, women's rights or even gay marriage...once that debate begins, that prejudice has received a fatal blow. Lincoln saw to that in terms of slavery, and that is something that is definitely worth a view to me.
True...OUT!
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