Review: Lincoln

Plot:  Based on author Doris Kearns Goodwin's biography Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, Steven Spielberg's latest masterpiece Lincoln follows the exploits of President Abraham Lincoln (Daniel Day-Lewis) over the last four months of his life.  Although the film centers mostly around the 16th president's struggles to get the 13th amendment passed in Congress and his efforts to end the Civil War, Lincoln also explores his personal struggles with his emotionally unstable wife Mary Todd Lincoln (Sally Field) and his resentful son Robert (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) who longs to enlist in the army.  Along the way Lincoln battles his own cabinet led by Secretary of State William Seward (David Strathairn), a stubborn and divided Congress, and radical Republican abolitionist Thaddeus Stevens (Tommy Lee Jones).  The totality of Lincoln reveals a keen and beautiful insight into Lincoln the man and the myth as well as one of the most crucial turning points in the history of the United States of America.

Review:  As gifted a director as Steven Spielberg is at conveying tales of wonder (ET, Jurassic Park, Close Encounters of the Third Kind) he's equally adept at crafting excellent historical films.  Lincoln is without question the best film he's done since Saving Private Ryan and rivals Schindler's List as his best picture in the historical genre.  Moreover ,Lincoln may singlehandledly be the best biopic of all time.  Perhaps this sounds like hyperbole but Lincoln is just that good.
     Lincoln stands out as an exceptionally genuine portrayal of our 16th President.  It doesn't deify him or make him out to be more than a man.  Far from it.  In many ways Lincoln was an emotionally distant man who didn't know how to cope with grief and at one point threatened to put his own wife in an asylum.  Furthermore, Lincoln was not above doing whatever he had to do in order to get the amendment to abolish slavery passed, even going so far as to offer post congressional jobs to Democratic swing votes.  Spielberg from this perspective made a spot on choice to show honest Abe, warts and all.
     As equally compelling as Lincoln the person are the real life events of the film.  Tony Kushner's brilliant script adaptation does an admirable job of bringing the drama of the 13th amendment to life.  The debate itself raged for almost a full month and only passed by two votes.  Although I'm a novice when it comes to politics it was amazing to see how times have changed.  In 1865 Republicans were considered the "radical" party while Democrats were recalcitrant and conservative.  Yet the infighting, bickering, and back alley deals were just as real in 1865 as they are today.  The scenes where people suspect Lincoln has brought Confederate delegates to Washington are particularly interesting.
     Equally compelling was the production crew including cinematographer Janusz Kaminski, who made 1865 America come alive.  The whole film looked like it had been ripped from a Ken Burns's documentary and the understated score by the incomparable John Williams lends a dignity and polish to the overall tone of the film.
     At the end of the day however Lincoln lives and dies on the talent of its actors and actresses and rarely has this much talent been assembled on the big screen, especially the supporting cast.  Sally Field proves once again why she's won two Academy Awards as her portrayal of Mary Todd Lincoln is flawless.  Field shows not only the emotional side of Mary, someone racked by grief at the death of her son Willie, but also the intrepid first lady, a woman who could banter and verbally riposte with any politician on the hill.  She's the perfect foil for her husband Abraham.  One of those politicians just happens to be Thaddeus Stevens portrayed strongly by Tommy Lee Jones.  Stevens was an educated, opinionated, outspoken radical who wasn't particularly fond of Lincoln at all and Jones plays him to a t.  While it's not the Academy Award worthy performance everyone keeps claiming it is, Jones certainly acquits himself well.  Joseph Gordon-Levitt does so too, portraying Robert Lincoln and holding his own in several scenes with Daniel Day-Lewis.  Even James Spader does an excellent job as the loud, crass, and boisterous Democratic Party operative William N. Bilbo.  Spader steals almost every scene he's in, providing most of the comic relief in Lincoln.
     But the real star of this film is of course Daniel Day-Lewis in the lead role.  I know many people were upset that Liam Neeson did not take the role and about Day-Lewis' voice selection, but after seeing this film I can't imagine anyone else playing our 16th President.  Daniel Day-Lewis is probably the world's greatest living actor and he raises his game with his portrayal in Lincoln.  Every once in a great while you'll see an acting performance that makes you forget it is an actor playing a role.  This is one of those times.  I actually believed at certain points that I was listening to Abraham Lincoln.  Day-Lewis is that good.  It's such a compelling and riveting portrayal of Abraham Lincoln, so layered in nuance that it is hard to describe.  We see Lincoln the leader, Lincoln the great speech writer, the Lincoln who could interrupt an argument without raising his voice, the Lincoln who could tell stories that exhausted others but compelled most.  We get to a see a Lincoln that was often emotionally cold yet passionate about what he thought was right.  The scene in particular where he demands of his cabinet that they get him the necessary votes to pass the amendment was beyond comparison.  Daniel Day-Lewis did a spot on portrayal of Lincoln, everything from his voice, to his gait, to the stoop of his shoulders.  Day-Lewis prepared for over a year and it shows.  More than any gesture or affectation however, Day-Lewis humanized a legend and showed why the people loved him so much.  I have no doubt Daniel Day-Lewis will be hoisting his third Academy Award for best actor in a few months.
     Lincoln is by no means a film for everyone.  If you don't like dialogue, history, or politics this film probably isn't for you.  However, if you are a fan of the medium and revel in excellent acting, production value, direction, and score than I suggest you cast your ballot for Lincoln.

My rating:  10/10