Remembering the Man

Rating: 8/10 (7 April 2013)

The poster for Spielberg's "Lincoln" depicts a beautiful portrait of the 16th president that screams "ICON!" Every preconceived notion of this film (Spielberg, Day-Lewis, LINCOLN!) points to a large-scale film trying to create the legend that the American memory preserves. But this film is anything but big. Sure they reconstructed 19th century Washington D. C., but what do we have if not another big Spielberg epic? The answer is an intimate, humanizing tapestry of a man and a nation.
Spielberg brilliantly opens his film with a direct confrontation of legend. Privates in the Union army approach President Lincoln, utterly starstruck, trying to recite some of the President's most famous words. And what does honest Abe do? He sits back, humble, patient, and pensive. Spielberg's intention is clear: to deconstruct myth and build an enduring memorial to a man. Drastically cut down from its early drafts, Spielberg takes a little piece of what could have been Tony Kushner's never-ending (but always witty and brilliant) screenplay, focusing on just a month of Lincoln's presidency as he battles for the passing of the 14th Amendment.
There is no need to praise Daniel Day-Lewis more on his Oscar-winning performance. He creates both a strong character and a human being in perfect harmony with one another, just as Spielberg addresses reality and legend. Like his performance, almost every aspect of this film is subdued, subtle, and brilliant. The Cinematography is nothing grand or revolutionary, but rather finds beauty in being simple and natural. Kushner's fantastic script allows these characters shinning moments in utterly honest humanity. Sally Field and Tommy Lee Jones give some of the most honest performances of their career. Every aspect is perfect for what the film is.
Upon my first viewing, I left thinking "That was good...but nothing exceptionally great." In retrospect, I guess I wanted the traditionally big Spielberg epic like many of his career defining films. But upon my second viewing, I saw the film for what it was. I saw the human story that it always was. I saw the tragedies and triumphs that decorated this month of Lincoln's presidency. I saw not the great president that we remember, but the great, flawed, and warm human being that was. And that man, by far, makes a better film than the legend.