So while you’re nursing a hangover from the Presidents Day rager you threw, I thought I’d tell you about Stephen Spielberg’s Lincoln. The 16th President had a banner year in 2012 with no less than three movies.  I haven’t seen the other two more fantastical vampire or zombie hunter versions, but the one based on a true story is quite good (not to say Lincoln didn’t fight the undead during his off time).

Lincoln fighting with his cabinet over the abolition of slavery…oh wait, wrong movie. That’s a much younger Lincoln to boot.

I enjoy history and the Civil War is an especially compelling time in American history.  This movie even got me interested in reading the book which Lincoln is partly based upon, Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin. The book is a much broader look at the Lincoln presidency and his unique cabinet made up of his political rivals–not  that I’ve read it, or anything.

The book would make for a great mini-series but a painfully long movie.
The picture focuses on the passage of the 13th Amendment as the civil war is drawing to a bloody end.  There are a few scenes of carnage and the little you see of U.S. Grant only makes you want more.  If you come expecting epic battles you’re out of luck.  Now a movie about legislation isn’t exactly a recipe for excitement but let me tell you it is much more engaging than what you’ll see on CSPAN.  There are even parallels to present day what with the intractable congress fighting amongst themselves more than accomplishing much of anything meaningful.  The stakes were much higher and the moral implications were quite grave in Lincoln’s day, though.

It’s a forgone conclusion that the North will win the war but does Lincoln risk enraging the South by freeing the slaves or does he try to broker peace and end the damnable war quickly and with less bloodshed?  I know I have said in the past the historical dramas carry little tension for me but this story is so engrossing and significant that I watched with rapt attention.
There is no better actor out there and no one more physically suited to play the venerable president than Daniel Day-Lewis. He embodies the patient man with all the worlds weight upon his shoulders while also capturing the jocular side of a guy who likes to spin a good yarn.  If I have any criticism, it is that he is not as homely as ol’ Abe.

The cast is a veritable who’s who of character actors.  A few that stand out are a cigar chomping David Strathairn as Secretary of State Seward and close friend of Lincoln.

Hair (facial/head/wig) was quite diverse in the 19th Century and the Halls of Congress are littered with a bunch of furry characters.

Bruce McGill offers some comic relief as Secretary of War Stanton whose consternation with Lincoln’s constant story telling ruffles his awesome beard.  James Spader adds some levity, as well, playing a lobbyist, of sorts, trying to sway some Democrats to their side.

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  Sumptuous production design and costumes…Oh, and Sally Field was wonderful as the perpetually grief stricken Mary Todd. Let’s hope she doesn’t win another Oscar, though.  That last acceptance speech was too much.

Despite the award winning performance of Day-Lewis as the thoughtful, and, even humorous, emancipator, Tommy Lee Jones shines as Representative Thaddeus Stevens. A cantankerous old bugger who is quick with the witty barbs to his rival Democrats and is outspoken about abolition.  The Republicans were anti-slavery but weren’t exactly for equal rights.  I had never heard of Stevens until this movie and he was really ahead of his time but wasn’t conciliatory to South in any way.  Unless you’re a history buff you’re going to learn a few things watching this movie.

A visionary director, an unrivaled star, a rich and engaging ensemble cast, and an intelligent script all come together to make an inspiring movie. It brings history alive and may even get you to read a book or something. This movie is nominated for Oscars galore and whether they take home all the prizes or not it is a fine film.