Ed's Review Dot Com

DreamWorks Pictures, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Reliance Entertainment,

Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, David Strathairn, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, James Spader, Hal Holbrook, Tommy Lee Jones, Jackie Earle Haley, John Hawkes, Jared Harris, Joseph Cross, Tim Blake Nelson, David Oyelowo, Bruce McGill

Abraham Lincoln (Daniel Day Lewis) was our 16th President, and presided over the United States during the darkest days of the nation. This film looks at the last months of the life of Abraham Lincoln. The war has been raging on, and he had released the Emancipation Proclamation declaring slavery had been abolished, but that was done as a time of war. It didn’t stop slavery truly, but rather stated that any slaves captured in battles would be free. But it was highly questionable to Lincoln whether he had the power to do this, especially if the war was over. So Lincoln was faces with a major dilemma. He must push for the 13th Amendment to the constitution in the house, to pass with a 2/3 majority, with not near enough votes to do it. He also had to do it before the war was over, because if the south rejoined the Union, they would certainly have enough power to block it. So Lincoln calls in all his favors, and even recruits his enemies, to attempt to pull off this coup. Lincoln may be able to stop slavery, or stop the war, but likely not both. This stunning documentary tells the story of a great American hero.

The similarities of the badly polarized congress to the situation the country is in today is so strikingly similar that it’s uncanny. This is one of the best films I have ever seen. The story is so gripping, and the performance of Daniel Day Lewis is certainly Oscar worthy. Sally Fields also shines as the trouble First Lady who has seen so much tragedy in her life that many deemed her insane. She was definitely a burden to the President, but also his strength. The performances here are certainly superior, and this film will be showered with honors this year, I am certain. There are so many wonderful actors in this movie that turn in amazing performances. Not the least of these is Tommy Lee Jones who is fabulous as the ornery representative from Pennsylvania. Spielberg has a sure hit here. This is a film that must NOT be missed!

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog