Lincoln Review

A Man Fitted to His Time

Austen Goslin

Lincoln is not about our 16^th president, it is about the men who surrounded him in the months that would define his presidency. In many ways Lincoln plays ring leader to a fantastic cast of characters as they make the decisions that will write the history books.

Based in part on the book "Lincoln: Team of Rivals", the film only follows the final few months of Lincoln's presidency. This enables it to feel like a more in depth study while making sure it didn't try to cover too much ground.

The America of Lincoln is one filled with fear and conflict. Even the happiest of moments are punctuated by the pungency of the ever present war. Spielberg's realization of the times and places around Lincoln's presidency is unparalleled. Here Spielberg displays a cinematic eye trained by a daunting level of experience. He shows each battlefield (and make no mistake each scene is a battle, although perhaps not in the traditional sense) with incredible effectiveness, creating beauty from minimalism and open ground. However, these shots often feel as though they are lacking in purpose, and too often seem to be beauty for beauty sake.

While his talent in establishing a setting is breath taking, it is with the characters that Spielberg's talent truly shines. Each actor is given a spotlight with which to show their talents as they bring their historical personalities to life. While every actor exudes a magnificent presence, there is, for better or worse, a notable lack of subtlety. None stand in greater example of this than Tommy Lee Jones. Jones gives a fantastic performance whose over the top nature fits the film perfectly.

In contrast to these other performances is Daniel Day Lewis' Lincoln. Lewis occupies the role of one of America's largest figures with muted brilliance. His Lincoln is not the man of historical legend, but one of quiet and subtle honesty. He is soft spoken and hunched, preferring long winded stories over hard nosed lectures. Lincoln is portrayed with a grace and completeness seldom seen in film characters. Lewis creates a character who is flawed, scared, and most importantly fully realized. From his voice, to his walk, to his breathing, Daniel Day-Lewis is every part Abraham Lincoln.

It's clear that Spielberg has no trouble recognizing, not only the talent of those he is directing, but the material that they are performing. However, his reverence for their work seems to lead to the films most noticeable flaw: each scene and shot feels too long. Whether it is a close up of Lincoln that lingers for a moment more than it should, or a congressional hearing that holds for several minutes too long, it seems Spielberg was too enraptured to say cut. This would be excusable if it weren't for the unrelenting consistency with which this occurs.

This issue also helps to highlight the problems with the film's script, as it sometimes drifts dis-enchantingly into melodramatic territory. This becomes most apparent during scenes whose dialog continues much past it's easily discernible and natural conclusion, often keeping the camera on faces of unchanging emotion far past the point of poignancy .

While those looking for a subtle study of the final months of Lincoln's life may wish to look elsewhere, those seeking an incredible film will not be disappointed. This film is a bright spot on the resume of its already remarkable cast. It marks one of Lewis's finest performances, as well as one of Spielberg's best efforts in years.

Despite it's flaws, Lincoln is a film that reaches soaring and immeasurable heights as Lewis and Spielberg join together to create a beautifully imagined vision of our 16^th president.