Lincoln

As I've mentioned in past reviews, biopics are usually fraught with intensity, grit and purpose, and all wrapped up in an extremely polished film replete with fine acting, directing, writing, cinematography, etc. We've all seen films and TV presentations about Abraham Lincoln, this rendition simply titled "Lincoln" is second to none.

The year is 1865. As the American Civil War winds inexorably toward a conclusion, then U.S. president Abraham Lincoln (Daniel Day-Lewis) endeavors to achieve passage of the landmark constitutional amendment 13 which will forever ban slavery from the United States which was, obviously, the reason why the Civil War even existed. However, this task is in a race against time, for peace may come at any time, and if it comes before amendment 13 is passed, the returning southern states will stop it before it can become law. Lincoln must, by almost any means possible, through the likes of William Seward (David Strathairn),W.N. Bilbo (James Spader), Robert Latham (John Hawkes), even Thaddeus Stevens (Tommy Lee Jones), Lincoln's chairman of the House Ways and Means committee, obtain enough votes, 20 to be exact, from a recalcitrant Congress before peace arrives and it is too late. Yet the president is torn, as an early peace would save thousands of lives, as the nation confronts its conscience over the freedom of its entire population, Lincoln faces his own crisis of conscience-- end slavery or end the war. His wife, Mary Todd Lincoln (Sally Field) is consistently at his side whether it be support or an unintentional hindrance.

Others to round out the cast are Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Robert Lincoln, President Lincoln's son, Hal Holbrook as Preston Blair, Jackie Earle Haley as Alexander Stephens, vice president to Jefferson Davis--southern states, Bruce McGill as Edwin Stanton, Tim Blake Nelson as Richard Schell, Joseph Cross as John Hay, Jared Harris as Ulysses S. Grant, general to the Union--northern states, Lee Pace as Fernando Wood, Peter McRobbie as George Pendleton, and Gulliver McGrath as Tad Lincoln, President Lincoln's younger son.

This film was incredibly well directed by veteran, Steven Spielberg ("Duel (TV movie) '71, "Jaws" '75, "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" '77, "Raiders of the Lost Ark" '81, "The Color Purple" '85, "Empire of the Sun" '87, "Hook" '91, "Jurassic Park" '93, "Schindler's List" '93, "Amistad" '97, "Saving Private Ryan" '98, "Minority Report" '02, "Catch Me If You Can" '02, "The Terminal" '04, "War of the Worlds" '05, "Munich" '05, "The Adventures of Tintin" '11, "War Horse" '11) and many others. Watching these actors perform, one can see how effortless Spielberg makes these characters in their different settings. It was written by Tony Kushner (Angels in America (TV movie) ''04, "Munich" '05). Considering the limited feature film experience this guy has, this was written very well. This was based in part on the book "Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln" by Doris Kearns Goodwin.

This film will undoubtedly pick up several Academy Award nominations which includes Daniel Day-Lewis as best actor, Spielberg as best director, John Williams as best original score, Janusz Kaminski as best cinematography, Michael Kahn, ace as best editor, Rick Carter as best art direction, and Joanna Johnston as best costume design. I believe Lewis will win, because his performance was pure perfection. You'd swear someone exhumed Lincoln from the grave, brought him back to life and let him play the part. Sally Field did give a riveting performance as Mary Todd Lincoln, wife of Abraham.

Trust me, this film is a riveting, well thought out, expose on months nearing the end of the Civil War and attempting to bring Amendment 13 into existence, that will leave you spellbound. It is one of Spielberg's masterpieces that should eventually make its way to school classrooms for history purposes. It is a film that should be viewed by one and all, if for not the historical accounts, but for its expertise production values.

Out of 4 stars: 4                      Rated: PG-13                    149mins.