LINCOLN, from Steven Spielberg and DreamWorks Pictures, Delivers a Solid Historical Biopic
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- Category: Film
- Published on Thursday, 15 November 2012 16:01
- Written by Janet Walker
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LINCOLN, from acclaimed Director Steven Spielberg, brings to the screen the tumultuous and historic last days of the 16th President of the United States as he champions the fight to end slavery.
Produced by Spielberg and long time producing partner Kathleen Kennedy, LINCOLN was adapted for the screen by Tony Krusher in part from the book, “The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln,” written by Doris Kearns Goodwin.
LINCOLN stars academy award winner Daniel Day Lewis, Sally Field and Tommy Lee Jones and also stars, David Strathairn, James Spader, Hal Holbrook, Joseph Gordon-Levitt as well as Gloria Reuben and S. Epatha Merkerson.
Presented by DreamWorks Pictures, Twentieth Century Fox and Reliance Entertainment LINCOLN is presented in association with Participant Media and Dune Entertainment and is an Amblin Entertainment/Kennedy/Marshall Company Production.
LINCOLN chronicles, as one would expect, the last four months before the President’s assassination at Ford Theater on April 15, 1865. While it is a biopic Mr. Spielberg’s unique celluloid thumbprint can be seen as he tackles a momentous portions of competing history’s weaving seamlessly the defining moments as both North and South are fighting for supremacy and dominance.
The talent gathered for this historical visual document is exceptional and almost impossible to review individually. There are numerous standout performances from the stellar cast that includes so many well known, lauded and honored names in the industry it is difficult to define one or the other as singularly exceptional or outstanding as all are.
Not a Lincoln Scholar, and from the list of historians, historical associations, consultants and contributors, one does not need to be to understand that LINCOLN is factually based. Therefore reverting to the role of reviewer, Daniel Day Lewis who tackles the lead character, Abraham Lincoln, an obvious well known historical figure, handles the daunting task with aplomb. He embodied the role with precision. His performance, mannerism, gestures and even his walk mirrored those of what historians consider accurate.
Sally Field takes on the role of Mary Todd Lincoln, and honestly it was an interesting as it included revelations of a First Lady rarely publicized incorporating her chronic depression or possibly a sense of foreboding, as both are portrayed as a God fearing people, the events as they would play out make a spiritual premonition, an innate revealed knowledge of impending doom or disaster, possible. She too created a memorable and extraordinary character.
David Strathairn portrays William Seward, President Lincoln’s Secretary of State, and as it is the late 1800’s his duties primarily consists of a domestic agenda. Strathairn has delivered an excellent performance convincing in his attempts to shield Lincoln’s name or reputation from being tainted as he works to implement the president’s plan and guards the President’s need to know.
As the film progresses, Lincoln battles a nation on the brink of social change, a personal life, that includes a strong willed and feisty wife, an adult son, Robert, played by Joseph Gordon Levitt, who has stubbornly decided to enlist in what both his parents feel is a death sentence which creates additional tension as Ms. Lincoln issues her mandate on her husband’s future should the amendment ending slavery and with it the costly Civil War fail to garner the necessary votes for passage and a younger son, Tad Lincoln, played by Gulliver McGrath, who knowing that slavery will end is infatuated with those who have suffered asking in child-like innocence troubling, disturbing and pointed questions on the human condition, suffering and treatment of slaves.
LINCOLN doesn’t shy away or water down the issues of race or race tensions. Mr. Spielberg has dealt with those issues factually and portrays LINCOLN with its deep divisions over race and the use of use of derogatory and inflammatory words common of the day to depict members of the African America race.
For these with an interest in comparing the events in the last days of what many considered the everyman president, and our more modern polarization as we move into a two people nation, living in what many consider a political separate but equal, Plessey vs. Ferguson, society. The race division is almost easy to see and mirrors a contemporary society where either race or race hate and differences become the motivations for more sinister actions, in thought and deed.
War, of course, is always brutal and visually to Mr. Spielberg’s credit he does not detract from historical accounts to produce what would be considered more politically correct. LINCOLN does contain scenes of war, amputated limbs, blood and the savage brutalities of war and pictures of animalistic abusive associated with the treatment of African American.
Running 2 ½ hours, LINCOLN is a history lesson for modern society and a true testament to the power of those who believe in betterment. It is not a fast action, high flying, action adventure and to its credit LINCOLN relives through factual representation a time, a season, of separateness of division in our nation. Not simply for the scholars and historians, LINCOLN is a film for all!
LINCOLN is a must see! LINCOLN was noimated for a record seven Golden Globe nominations, more than any other film and has over 40 additional nominations and and 14 Award wins.
LINCOLN is in select markets now and opens everywhere Friday, November 16, 2012.