Chris Kavan's Movie Review of Lincoln

Lincoln: Epic, Moving, Momentous
Chris Kavan - wrote on 11/18/12

When crafting a story of one of the most beloved figures in history time, care, dedication, detail - it all has to come together or else you're left with a mediocre story about a great man. Lucky for us, Steven Spielberg's passion for Lincoln is just as good as his directorial pedigree and he does justice to the man and his legacy.

Lincoln is not a typical biopic - instead of following the life of one man, we focus in a specific moment in his life. In this case, we witness the events leading up to the vote on the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, abolishing slavery, as well as the waning days of the Civil War. Daniel Day-Lewis is a shoo-in for Best Actor nominee as he gives one of the best performances of the year playing the 16th president. Just his voice is enough to convince me he was right for the part. Both the makeup and wardrobe department also has to be given a lot of credit for helping transform the actor into Lincoln.

But those who think this film is dull affair are missing the many touches that put forth. There are great moments of humor and drama here - some more nuanced than others. There are no aliens, no great battles, no dinosaurs - this is a completely character-driven piece and Day-Lewis isn't the only one who makes it memorable.

Add in Best Supporting Actor to Tommy Lee Jones, who plays Thaddeus Stevens with a great mix of stalwart Republican and grumpy old man (who still knows how to thrown back a great retort). Hobbling along on his cane, he doesn't feel like he's disabled one bit - he's a man with his own passion - one that may rival Lincoln himself for how strongly he feels on the issue of equality. In fact, one of the defining moments of this film is where he has to stand before the House of Representative and, for the good of the bill, go back on all that he has said previous and state it's about equality before the law - not equality between races - that drives the 13th Amendment. A truly powerful scene that he pulls off with eloquence and strength.

Also of note is Sally Field, who plays Mary Todd Lincoln. She has the looks of someone who is very weary, but not ready to be counted out. She has a great scene with Jones during a soiree at the White House that is both funny and biting. Much of the dialogue between her and Lewis is given over the strain the death of their son, Willie, had upon their lives. She displays a strength all her own.

The supporting cast is likewise very strong. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is Robert Lincoln, the son who wants nothing more than to fight for the Union but has to deal with the strong opposition of his mother and the reluctance of his father. A visit to the local hospital give a face to the war wounded and the sacrifice many made for their country. Hal Holbrook as Preston Blair, James Spader (providing a slew of comic moments as W.N. Bilbo), David Strathairn as Secretary of State William Seward, Lee Pace as the Democrat's haughty New York representative and Jared Harris as Ulysses S. Grant - are just a few of the many big names who lend their talent to an outstanding supporting cast.

If there is only one strike against the movie, is that it does feel a bit long. I didn't find it at all dull or boring as some have stated - in fact, I was surprised by how well-paced the movie felt. Yet it won't hold everybody's attention. Those raised on Transformers and The Avengers might well be twiddling their thumbs at the half-way point - the fact the median age of the audience in attendance was probably around 55-60 proves that this is not a film hoping to attract the youth crowd. Which is really too bad - I bet this is the kind of film that teachers would love to show in school (despite the one random F-bomb that is dropped - perfectly timed, IMO). At times, it does get bogged down in its own narrative - but for those who can manage to pay attention without things exploding or bullets flying, it is worth that attention.

This is the kind of film the Academy loves - and, for once, it's also a film that I actually like a lot. Great men are recognized in many ways, and Spielberg has proven before he can handle historic dramas - especially ones that he connects with on a personal level. It took him 12 years, but Lincoln was worth the wait and I'm sure I will hear about it again come awards season.