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Lincoln – Steven Spielberg and Daniel Day-Lewis Produce an Extraordinary Movie

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Abraham LincolnLincoln is a must-see movie. Steven Spielberg has taken an  icon of history and explored him in a largely unknown situation that is sure to bring new insights into the complexities of both the man and the times. Abraham Lincoln is superbly played by Daniel Day-Lewis, whose performance is both disturbing in its believability and mesmerizing in its honest transcendence of the mythology that pervades our knowledge of the 16th President.

Lincoln is nominally based on the book Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin. While Goodwin’s epic book covers the entire period from Lincoln’s nomination to his assassination, the film focuses entirely on Lincoln’s fight to get the 13th Amendment – which bans slavery – through a contentious House of Representatives. He battles not only the Democrats who opposed the amendment, but the radical Republicans who felt it didn’t go far enough. All the while dealing with the reality that opposition to slavery did not equate with acceptance of full equality in all respects. This distinction plays out in a number of the relationships explored in the film.

Day-Lewis has magnificently captured Lincoln’s long periods of contemplation, ability to remain calm while others around him are reacting to every crisis, and a voice that may catch viewers by surprise but reflects the descriptions of Lincoln’s higher pitch and cadence. Day-Lewis successfully brings Lincoln to life as real person. No less superb is the acting of Sally Field as Mary Lincoln. Field offers us a deeper insight into the highs and lows of the woman who would help Lincoln reach his heights while bearing great burdens of her own.

The rest of the cast is equally stellar. David Strathairn as William Seward, Tommy Lee Jones as Thaddeus Stevens, and Hal Holbrook as Preston Blair all exquisitely add to the dimension of the film. In one scene where Robert Lincoln unexpectedly interrupts a critical discussion between Lincoln and Blair, Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s non-verbal action in a span of a few seconds brilliantly conveys an entire history of the relationship between father and son. Likewise, the expression of Gloria Rueben as Elizabeth Keckley upon hearing Stevens’ speech reminds us that prejudice won’t be erased by a Constitutional amendment. The passions of David Oyelowo as Corporal Clark near the opening of the film bring us into the frustrations of the former slaves who, while fighting for the Union Army at the end of the war, must rely on the political gamesmanship of white men to decide whether they remain free or perhaps are returned to slavery.

The film works on many dimensions depending on your level of knowledge of the times. Some will see a great story being told, others the many layers of depth as the film explores the complex relationships between the major players and the wheeling and dealing that was required to get enough votes for passage of the amendment. Still others may see the parallels to our current situation.

I highly recommend everyone see this movie. You won’t regret it.

[Update: Lincoln received 12 Oscar nominations on January 10, 2013!]

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“Lincoln” Trailer – Steven Spielberg and Daniel Day-Lewis do Doris Kearns Goodwin’s “Team of Rivals”

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Abraham LincolnThe trailer for the long-awaited film on Abraham Lincoln directed by Steven Spielberg is now out and it portends an excellent movie to follow. Based on the best-selling book by Doris Kearns Goodwin called “Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln,” the movie captures the tensions between the many strong wills – and many former rivals – sitting in Lincoln’s cabinet.

Goodwin’s book, which I will unequivocally state is one of the best books ever written on our 16th President, is a must-read for anyone wanting to understand the dynamics between Lincoln, his cabinet, and the various factions in Congress that he fought as much as he fought the states in secession. Because of the book’s length (over 900 pages including notes), Spielberg’s Lincoln focuses on the final four months of the war, and as it turns out, of Lincoln’s life.

Lincoln is played by the amazing Daniel Day-Lewis, a two-time best actor Oscar winner for My Left Foot and There Will Be Blood. As a method actor that lives in character for the duration of filming, Lewis is expected to bring to life the inner Lincoln. Sally Field, another two-time Oscar winner, plays Mary Todd Lincoln. The rest of the cast is just as stellar, with sharp viewers also noting the presence of Hal Holbrook, who won an Emmy portraying Abraham Lincoln in a 1970s mini-series.

Given the presence of such distinguished actors, the directorial history of Steven Spielberg, and the truly magnificent book by Doris Kearns Goodwin, there are high expectations for the movie.

Fast Fact: Goodwin’s book was published in 2005, but Spielberg had already bought the film rights to it back in 2001 after Goodwin, who had been consulting on another Spielberg project, had told him of her intent to write the book. Goodwin had already won a Pulitzer Prize in 1995 for her earlier book on Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt.

Don’t forget to subscribe to the posts by email on the home page.  And feel free to “Like” my Facebook author’s page and connect on LinkedIn.  Share with your friends with the buttons below. More on Abraham Lincoln here.