This will probably be one of my shortest film reviews for the year. If you see only one movie this year, make sure it’s this one.
Based on Doris Kearns-Goodwin’s biography of Lincoln, Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln; the movie covers the final four months of Lincoln’s life centering on his efforts to get the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution passed by the House of Representatives. Directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Daniel Day-Lewis as Lincoln and Sally Fields as Mary Todd Lincoln, this movie is uncomfortable to watch, but compelling nevertheless. It grabs you from its opening scene and doesn’t let go.
There are outstanding performances from every actor in this film, even those who have smaller parts. But having an outstanding cast does no good if you don’t have a good script and Lincoln has a good script. If your image of Lincoln is one of a folksy, homespun, story telling country boy, this movie will dispel that image. Lincoln is portrayed as being smart, educated and a politician with the Machiavellian skills needed to get things done in Washington, DC. While watching this movie, I was struck by the fact that so little in current Washington politics seems to have changed since 1865.
Many of the actors in this film have been nominated for Academy Awards. But it is clear to me that Tommy Lee Jones should be a odds on favorite to win the Best Supporting Actor Award. He’s that good in his role of Thaddeus Stevens. Daniel Day-Lewis as Lincoln was fantastic casting. His portrayal of the 16th President conveys the image of a powerful man, with strong convictions – a man of his times and a man for all times.
This is one of the best bio films I’ve seen so far this decade. Put it on your short list of films to see this year.