Steven Spielberg's Lincoln is a richly explored slice of history with an immensely talented lead actor playing one of our America's most lauded presidents and a fantastic supporting cast.
by Maggie Pehanick
Steven Spielberg's Lincoln is a richly explored slice of history with an immensely talented lead actor playing one of our America's most lauded presidents and a fantastic supporting cast. The film centres on a crucial period during the Civil War; Lincoln (Daniel Day-Lewis) has been re-elected, the North and South have been at brutal odds for four years, and there seems to be no chance for peace in sight. The president is striving to add an amendment to the Constitution to emancipate slaves, believing it to be the quickest way, aside from an impossible peace treaty, to end the bloodshed. The historical film isn't without dry moments, and the pace can be meandering, but nothing can detract from Day-Lewis' commanding performance.
Day-Lewis is one of Hollywood's greatest actors, and his portrayal of the 16th president continues his streak of inspired performances. He breathes life into Lincoln, transforming himself into the thin yet physically domineering man, and exploring his quirks and oddities — such as his unabashed penchant for poorly timed anecdotes and long-winded metaphors. Day-Lewis' lumbering Honest Abe is just that; he's transparent in his motives when dealing with his cabinet as well as his wife (Sally Field), who, much to his exasperation, is still grappling with the death of one of their sons. Though it's a tale of politics, Lincoln is at its best when focusing on the president's role as the head of a fractured family. Find out what else I thought about Lincoln after the jump.
