A week ago I wrote that after all the hype, and considering the high powered talent involved in making this movie, if it was anything less that terrific, it would have to be considered a disappointment. I am now here to tell you that no, it is most definitely not a disappointment, and yes, it is terrific.
The movie centers on a relatively brief, but tremendously important and historic time during President Lincoln's administration - the time following his reelection in 1864 and prior to his inauguration in March, 1865, when he sought to get the 13th amendment to the Constitution passed by the House of Representatives. Yeah, this is a movie about a piece of legislation. How boring can you get, right? Considering all that was involved: abolishing slavery, ending the Civil War, a President dealing with a bunch of recalcitrant Congressmen, and even some recalcitrant cabinet members, this becomes a real political thriller. The movie is two and one-half hours long, but is so totally compelling and mesmerizing, that it goes by in the proverbial blink of an eye.
Of course, one bad thing about this movie is that it may take away all sense of drama and suspense come Academy Awards night. Expect nominations for the Best Picture, director Steven Spielberg, screenwriter Tony Kushner, and, of course, actors Daniel Day-Lewis, Tommy Lee Jones, and Sally Field, and probably a few others who might deserve nods, but might be crowded out like David Strathairn and James Spader, not to mention all of the technical awards nominations it will no doubt receive. I wish I could take credit for this line, but I will quote Post-Gazette critic Barry Paris who said that Day-Lewis looks like he stepped right off of a five dollar bill to play Abe Lincoln. An absolutely amazing and terrific performance. Of course, there is no film footage of Abe Lincoln, but I imagine that this representation is exactly what he was like.
Great movie. Do not miss it.
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