“Lincoln” restores my faith in Steven Spielberg
Deep down, I didn’t really want to see Lincoln. Director Steven Spielberg has been my sworn enemy since Warhorse. Plus, it felt like homework and I worried it would be long and boring. But I knew Daniel Day-Lewis would be amazing and that it would probably get lots of Oscar nominations and that it was good for me, so I decided to just get it out of the way.
I couldn’t have been more wrong. First of all, it isn’t boring at all. It’s actually quite thrilling. But most importantly Lincoln is good. And I mean that in the morally right and virtuous definition…it is inspiring. Doris Kearns Goodwin wrote the book that was used as source material for the film and she once talked about how she kept putting off writing the ending because she didn’t want to lose him. This is how I felt by the end of the movie, how amazing that we had this man to lead us and how unbearable it is that he is gone.
Also, it’s really entertaining. Watching DDL as Lincoln is enthralling, but I have to mention James Spader and John Hawkes and Jared Harris and even Hannah’s boyfriend (Girls), Adam Driver! The acting is just a joy to behold. My only complaints were the casting of Tommy Lee Jones and Sally Field. Not that they aren’t good actors, they are just so Tommy and Sally, you never forget it’s them, so I find them distracting. (Whenever he’s on screen I imagine his “I want a search of every doghouse, outhouse, henhouse, etc.” speech in The Fugitive and she’s just a confluence of every histrionic performance I’ve seen her give, from Steel Magnolias to Brothers & Sisters.)
But back to Steven Spielberg….the directing is near perfect. I assume he’ll be nominated and at this point, I think he should win (along with Tony Kushner for the script and DDay for acting.)
I can’t more highly recommend it.
- Jen
November 26th, 2012 at 1:51 pm
I skipped warhorse, but I was predisposed to like this movie, as I have a crush on any and all things Doris Kearns Goodwin. She is so freaking smart. Yes, DDL is amazing. (weird? : i could not stop watching his long fingers. the scene where his cabinet is pushing him to wait until the war ends to further the amendment and Lincoln refuses and points at them: “NOW, NOW, NOW!” = chills.)
November 27th, 2012 at 6:21 pm
Agreed. It was so amazing. I liked Tommy Lee Jones and Sally Field both in this movie, though I agree that they can’t really lose themselves in a character the way DDL does. Jared Harris was great. James Spader was amazing, and so different from his usual roles. I also loved David Straithairn, or however you spell his name, as Secretary of State Seward. This movie will deservedly bring home a lot of awards. I skipped the movie “Warhorse” too, by the way. I want to see that as a live theater experience but I’m not interested in seeing it in the theater, mostly due to your review of it (I reject YOU). This is a great season for movies…enjoy!
November 28th, 2012 at 10:32 am
This is a great season for movies. Usually there isn’t even one movie I really want to see.
Over Thanksgiving, I was looking at the local mega-plex, and there was “Perks of Being a Wallflower”, “Silver Linings Playbook”, “Lincoln”, and “The Sessions”.
A large popcorn and drink are, however, $14., which seems insane. I can stomach $5. for a popcorn, but $8.? And you kids, stay off my lawn