The picture focuses on the last 4 months of the life of the 16th President of United States Abraham Lincoln (Daniel Day-Lewis) and the great work he did in those early months of 1865 to pass the Thirteenth Amendment before his assassination in mid-April. It also tracks Lincoln's life inside the The White House with his family while historic events bubble up around him. His wife Mary Todd Lincoln, (Sally Field), his elder son Robert Todd Lincoln (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) who wants to join the battlefields of the Civil War much to the dismay of his parents, and Tad (Gulliver McGrath) who idolizes his father.
Based on the best-selling book, Team of Rivals: by Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, the adapted screenplay was penned by award winning writer Tony Kushner.
With a running time of 2hrs and 30 minutes and whole chunks of the film devoted to procedural politics of the day--rather than make the standard birth to death biopic--Spielberg ran the risk of losing his audience. Fortunately for the audience though Spielberg surrounded himself with a great ensemble of actors that for the most part make even the most banal and wordy scenes soar. We are engaged the entire time. Here's where my trio of young companions come in---and why I mentioned them at the outset--A few times I looked over at each of them and you know what? They were fully engrossed in the narrative. In fact, one of the twenty-somethings got so caught up in the film--I caught him leaning forward in his seat--invested in the outcome of a critical sequence!
Daniel Day Lewis doesn't just play Lincoln. He inhabits him, Mind, Body, and Spirit. Of course I never met the real Lincoln but Day-Lewis plays him the way I imagined he was when I studied him in school. An eloquent speaker who presided over a divided nation, faced opposition from within his own party and the Democrats. Day-Lewis also nails that cold icy stare that the President showed off in a few photos that exist.
Tommy Lee Jones gives a stellar performance as well as Thaddeus Stevens, a Republican leader from Pennsylvania who was a staunch supporter of abolishing slavery and critical to writing the legislation for the Civil War. Jones seemed to really relish playing this role--Even providing some levity--taking down his detractors in the Congress. James Spader also has a glint in his eye while trying to secure votes. Field's screen time, though limited, is affecting especially for a party greeting and when she pleads with her husband not to send Robert off to war.
The entire cast shines even those that have the smallest of roles. My only real nit pick here is that I was hoping to see more of JGL as Robert opposite his Mother and Father.
Spielberg regulars: Music score master John Williams, Director of Photography Janusz Kaminski, Editor Michael Kahn. Production Designer Rick Carter, and Costumer Joanna Johnston give the film sturdy support.
Lincoln doesn't need to give all the details of the man's life for you to understand what made him tick--Spielberg provides enough details for you to get it. A triumph. Making the political process worth watching...
Oscar should smile on Lincoln.
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