Film Review -- Lincoln

Seven Spielberg's highly anticipated new picture stars Daniel Day-Lewis, Tommy Lee Jones, and Sally Field. The United States is in the middle of one of its greatest, most devastating wars, and President Abraham Lincoln (Day-Lewis) is tasked with the monumental task of preserving the Union and freeing its slaves. Two years after the Emancipation Proclamation, he is battling with his cabinet and with Congress to pass the historical 13th Amendment, the ultimate abolition declaration. Among the amendment's fierce supporters are the Radical Republican Senator, Thaddeus Stevens (Jones) and Secretary of State William Seward (David Strathairn). Meanwhile, he deals with the effects of such a intense and fateful battle at home, with his fragile wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, and resentful son, Robert (Joseph Gordon-Levitt). Day Lewis's performance as Lincoln is nothing short of spectacular; his cabinet speech is enough to award him an Oscar. He brings such a human element to a man history has hailed as a legend. I found the choice to have Lincoln speak in a higher tone was a brave but great one, as it is in line with hisorical accounts of his voice and it just seems to "fit" him. Sally Field gives an impressive performance as well, but it won't be enough to beat Anne Hathaway (and it shouldn't anyway). Tommy Lee Jones gives a performance that is both subtle and thundering, definitely award-worthy as well (let's see if he wins the Supporting Actor Oscar).  Finally, Tony Kushner's script and Spielberg's directly are wonderful. The script is intelligent, fluid, and captivating. The directing is just perfect -- the film is a beautiful ode to the accomplishments of such an important President, and it is so masterful and lyrical that all of the elements of the film work together in such perfect harmony, at all times. With Ben Affleck and Kathryn Bigelow out of the Best Director Oscar race, I sincerely hope that Spielberg takes home the trophy. Although I also loved Argo, Lincoln is also a film very deserving of the Best Picture Oscar.

Should you see it: Yes
Grade: A-