Steven Spielberg's "Lincoln" an intimate epic if there ever was one opens as most might expect, with a powerful, disturbing yet somewhat short battle scene from the American Civil War, Spielberg can film a battle scene with his eyes closed, one arm tied behind his back and any other cliche' you can think of. His choice of abstaining from a lengthened battle scene or any other battle scenes is a bit of a shock but after completion of viewing you realize its the right move as this two and a half hour almost masterpiece gives viewers a look into one of the most respected, yet mysterious men in American history as well as a glimpse into the differences and shockingly similar way American politics were done then and now.
"Lincoln" is basically set up as a play, very few camera moves by Spielberg and really not that many exterior shots, most of the movie is dialogue between men in rooms lit by candlelight. The basic plot of the movie is the struggle of Abraham Lincoln to get the 13th Amendment which permanently freed the slaves passed the struggle is both between his Republican and Democrat senators and representatives but also between his family and most importantly himself. As expected Daniel Day Lewis immerses himself in the role of honest Abe, this was really never a question of "if" it would only be a question if you could believe him as Lincoln. Though as far as I know there are no actual sound clips of Lincoln everyone in their head has an idea of what he would sound like, in the movie Lincoln for the most part sounds like a man broken down by loss, stress and tragedy, again some of this from the war and some of this in his own life, he ages before us during the movie, his voice only raises when it is most needed, I feel this was a good decision by Lewis as it humanizes a figure beloved in American lore.
My three favorite characters in the film are played by three great actors: John Hawkes, Tim Blake Nelson and the always reliable James Spader, they play what can best be described as Lobbyists working for Lincoln to get the necessary votes in the House of Representatives to pass the amendments their purpose is valuable as it gives a Cliffs Notes version of the democratic process and what it takes to get issues resolved, something I think today's representatives could learn from. The acting is top notch all around, Sally Field as Mary Todd Lincoln will probably stir up a debate, Mary Todd in reality is not a very likable person, she was said to be bi polar and very much critical and involved in the goings on in the white house, Field stays true to this perception, its not a likable role at all and I can imagine older viewers will be surprised that they come out of the movie and basically not liking Sally Field in this role. Actors such as Hal Holbrook, Tommy Lee Jones and David Straithain fill other vital roles in the movie and again prove that each is worth seeing in almost anything, Straithain especially shines as Lincolns Secretary of State. One miscast is Joseph Gordon Levitt as Robert Todd Lincoln, Abe's oldest son, he's really not given much to do other than one important scene between he and his father regarding signing up to enlist, another issue that haunts Lincoln throughout.
In closing "Lincoln" is probably the smallest film Spielberg has ever done, even in taking on non "blockbuster" films before such as "The Color Purple" "Lincoln" makes you feel like you are in the room during these great moments in history. Daniel Day Lewis is assured of at least a nomination for best actor at the Oscars and this is easily Spielberg's best movie since "Munich" so multiple nominations are not out of the question.
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