Summary - Really Great 4.5

“Lincoln”, which deals with the last several months of the great President’s life may not be Steven Spielberg’s best movie but it may be his most confident one.

Working of an elegant but brutally honest script by Tony winner Tony Kushner(based on Doris Kearns Goodwin’s book) it takes us into Lincoln’s world as he is juggling ending the Civil War and passing the 13th Amendment at the same time. Although John Williams is the composer Spielberg only uses his music when it is absolutely necessary, choosing to let the story, the actors and the images tell most of the story.

And what a story it is. Historian’s will be debating for many more years as to how good a President Lincoln was but less will debate how important he was.

In addition to Spielberg’s superb direction, the screenplay, the cast and even the music are first rate.

Acting - Great 4.0

Day-Lewis gives another indelible performance as there are times I really felt I was in the presence of Lincoln. He is wonderfully aided by an all star cast that includes Tommy Lee Jones, David Strathairn, Gloria Reuben and many others.

I didn’t mention Sally Field because she is the one weak link. Which is not to say she’s terrible because the idea of casting her was ingenious. She may not look exactly like Mary Todd Lincoln but when I first heard of her casting I said to myself “Ka Ching” because I knew she would look right for the part. And she does. But she seems to be acting when the rest of the cast is “being” Still the movie is called “Lincoln” and not “Abe and Mary” so she really doesn’t hurt the picture.

Film - Awful 0.0

As anybody who’s ever seen a Spielberg movie can tell you, even his lesser efforts possess excellent production values. This is no different.

Edge - Tame 1.5

There is one brutal battle scene in the beginning and one scene towards the end where Lincoln surveys the aftermath of a battle. Quite graphic but absolutely essential to the movie.

Reality - Natural 1.0

2 Comments

• BrettHarrison Mar 28, 2013 5:37PM

  Regarding BrettHarrison’s Review
  Thanks Wick. I think the thing that really spurred me on to say was the minimal use of music. He often just sort of gives John Williams a blank check and lets him go crazy.

• Wick Mar 28, 2013 4:09PM

  Regarding BrettHarrison’s Review
  “May be Spielberg’s most confident movie.” Interesting observation.

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