Lincoln(2012)

4/5

It is 1865. Abraham Lincoln has been reelected as the President of the United States. Civil War has been raging for over four years. The thirteenth amendment to the constitution proclaiming equality for the blacks was passed in the Senate two years back as the Republicans, Lincoln’s party, were in majority. Now he wants the amendment to be passed by the House of Representatives so that it becomes a law. The problem is he doesn't have a majority and the chances of the Democrats siding with him are slim.

It was very difficult for me as a person who is not very familiar with the Civil war to really understand the first forty five minutes of the movie because it had innumerable references to that period of time and the main characters who helped shaping history. However, once the action starts in the House of Representatives then this transforms into a superb piece of art.

The shenanigans to which the Republicans resorted to are shown in detail. There is a personal stake for Lincoln to get the amendment ratified into a law and that part is also delved upon.

The best part about the movie is the acting. Tommy Lee Jones has the best lines as a staunch Republican who wants nothing short of complete rights for the Blacks. Sally Fields as Molly Lincoln, the wife of Abe, is truly terrific in the emotional scenes. Joseph Gordon Lewitt brings star power and not much else as he is on screen for less than ten minutes.

But the movie belongs to Daniel Day Lewis. He IS Abraham Lincoln reincarnate. The way he speaks, the care and the occasional flash of anger in his eyes and the playful smile on his face will truly wow the viewer.

This is Spielberg’s best movie since Munich and might just be his best effort of the twenty first century.

 The seven Golden Globe nominations and the yet to be announced Oscar nominations are richly deserved.