Review 211: Lincoln

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/6a/Lincoln_2012_Teaser_Poster.jpg
Lincoln is an incredible historical drama and one of Steven Spielberg's best films a fascinating character study and a showcase for another masterful performance from Daniel Day-Lewis.

Based on the book Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin, the film focuses on the political collision of Lincoln (Daniel Day-Lewis) and the powerful men of his cabinet on the road to abolition, the end of the Civil War, the last few months of Lincoln's life, the ending of slavery.

The plot is just wonderful, it tells the story of not just any ordinary president but a great one, a good one and that president is Abraham Lincoln, he really fought to abolish slavery and he had a lot of hard decisions to make and we see how he agonises about those decisions.
 
The film opens with a harrowing 20 minutes sequence that showcases the intensity and brutality of the American Civil War 
 
He had a choice about either abolishing slavery or stopping the war and trust me it was a hard choice to make. What's Spielberg also shows us are the responsibilities of being a president and how his power should not be taken lightly and depicts us the world of politics as a hard and conflicted place.
It's a very powerful and emotional impact leaving experience that really makes you feel the gravity of Lincoln's choices had on the war and on the people and Spielberg and Lewis portray that beautifully. Abraham Lincoln was a man who was loved by many people back then and he's still loved by many today. He really did stand up to those who said he could not pass the 13th Amendment and abolish slavery. Spielberg also shows that although he did great things, his choices also have an effect on the future and it shows how one decision can have an impact on a whole nation for a better future.
Spielberg also shows that although we don't think of it as right, some bad things must be done to pave way for a better future. Also the way Lincoln bribes people is an example of the spawn of corruption in the government today.

Steven Spielberg's direction is precise, the cinematography is gorgeous and captures old fashinond period look of the 1860's, the score by John Williams is beautiful, the production design (recreating the 1860's) is spectacular, the costumes are mystical, the make up is rich and beautifully detailed, the props are immaculate, the scenery is breathtaking and the ending has a

The acting is sensational, Daniel Day-Lewis delivers a powerhouse performance playing Abraham Lincoln, just watching him perform give you goose bumps. 
 
Sally Field is fabulous as Mary Todd Lincoln, Lincoln's wife
 
Tommy Lee Jones is very powerful as Thaddeus Stevens, a Republican Congressman, leader of the Radical Republicans and a fervent abolitionist who feared that Lincoln would turn his back on emancipation.
 
Joseph Gordon-Levitt is just fantastic as Robert Todd Lincoln, Hal Holbrook is brilliant as Francis Preston Blair, David Strathairn is also very powerful as Secretary of State William Seward, James Spader is splendid as William Bilbo

Tommy Lee Jones, Lee Pace, Adam Driver, Walton Goggins, Jeremy Strong

Lincoln is powerful and deeply effecting historical drama and a triumphant account of one of America's most beloved presidents, 5/5.

The Anonymous Critic.

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