Directed by Steven Spielberg

It’s not provocative or enlightened or new to say Lincoln is one of the best movies ever made about United States presidents, democracy, and politics.

The story guides us with a deft hand through the final four months of Lincoln’s life, made real for a new generation by Daniel Day-Lewis‘s Oscar-winning performance. The mannerisms, the careful dialect, the beard. It all feels incredibly real.

The cast

David Strathairn, Tommy Lee Jones, James Spader were all excellent. Tim Blake Nelson and Jared Harris, and Hal Holbrook feel “from the era.” Even Joseph Gordon-Levitt falls into place after a scene or two.

Now, Sally Field. Oh, brother. The audition process took years. She had to fight for the role after Spielberg questioned the age difference between her and Day-Lewis. She put on 25 pounds to match Mrs. Lincoln’s description. She was nominated for Best Supporting Actress. I don’t care. None of it was worth it, and she is the sole blight on the film. Hell, maybe it really is an accurate representation of the actual woman, but Field is damn difficult to watch. I’m aware that this is an extremely unpopular opinion. My mind can’t be changed.

The alignment to history

The details of this plot are, in turns out, very accurate. Most of what is shown really happened (whether we in 2012 could verify the legitimate connection between events or not), and historians were generally pleased and impressed with the reflection of Lincoln and life in 1865.

There is story enough in Lincoln’s personal biography — growing up in poverty, losing children, leaving his wife at the altar before reconciling, and his “melancholy” affliction (now thought to be clinical depression) — but aside from one tense and very well-delivered scene depicting an argument between Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln about their late son Willy, the movie stays focused on his political movements.

There are some slices of cheese (like a Black soldier reciting the Gettysburg address while Lincoln sits in the exact pose of this memorial statue, or the blood-splattered pillow in his death scene), but they’re easily overlooked thanks to the genuine dialogue and feeling of reality that sweep over the entire film.

Final thoughts

What to say that hasn’t already been said? Day-Lewis deserves nothing but praise, the set design was believable and great, and the costuming was excellent. This is our nation’s history come to life.

This movie is good.

My rating: 5/5