With all the praise and accolades Stephen Spielberg's latest film received, I was compelled to watch Lincoln and see for myself how great it is.
The film definitely has its bright spots. History buffs might relate to the film the best; those who actually take an interest in the politics, the history, and the characters involved. The film seems to do decent justice to everything. A few scenes stand out, and the dialogue is quite sharp (although it is quite old-fashioned as well).
The main problem is, this film is a long and slow-moving affair, built entirely on politics and dialogue. There's maybe a minute of war scenes in the opening shot, but from then on, it's straight-up talking. The vast majority of the film takes place in the White House, or in Congress, or in some other indoors setting, with very little variation. Conflict is strictly political; people struggling to get the 13th Amendment ratified, and lots of debating ensues. If the political battle for the 13th Amendment is something that really interests you, then maybe this film will speak to you. For me, however, I found it quite dry, and I found myself nodding off and losing interest on a few occasions.
In spite of that, I think the actual plot of this film is thin and flat, lacking in significant conflict or structure. The best that can be said is that it's populated with quality characters, who seem to adhere to historical depiction and fact quite well. I was relieved to see that the actual political stance of the film is appropriately neutral; the film never slanders or puts a spin on Republicans or Democrats, but portrays them objectively. With the 13th Amendment as the sole subject of the film, the film digs up a lot of themes to reinforce Lincoln's ideals of equality and freedom.
As expected, the cinematography and editing are top-notch. Acting is effectively perfect, especially from Daniel Day Lewis, who provides an appropriately nuanced and enjoyable portrayal of Abraham Lincoln. Writing is excellent, especially in the way it provides sharp and witty dialogue, with a proper 1860s style. This production has great-looking sets, props, and costumes. Music is not bad either.
Watching this film reminded me a lot of watching JFK, but without the conspiracy theories or freakiness. Both films are basically political to the core, and I find them both rather tedious to watch. Regardless, Lincoln is a well-crafted film, and is definitely worth watching. Recommended, especially for history buffs, fans of political dramas, and fans of the cast or the director.
3.5/5 (Entertainment: Marginal | Story: Average | Film: Perfect)
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