A great movie for a great man

Rating: 10/10 (16 December 2018)

I've watched this movie a half dozen times. It's become one of my favorite movies, which is a bit ironic because I so carefully avoided watching it when it came out. Everyone kept talking about Daniel Day-Lewis's performance, but I knew it was one of those quieter, historical pieces and I wasn't in the mood. Finally, it aired on HBO some weekend and I thought I might as well see what all the fuss was about.
I remember just being completely blown away. Before I'd even reached the half-way point I was on the web ordering a Blu-Ray copy of the film. The movie is, in my opinion, a masterpiece. To me, that comes down to one thing: Daniel Day-Lewis. Don't get me wrong, the supporting cast is extremely solid, and the cinematography is gorgeous; even the costumes and set pieces are beautifully done.
But what brings me back again and again is Lewis's performance of the great man. In every scene, he just seems to suck the oxygen out of the room; I almost feel as though I've been holding my breath while I watch his scenes unfold. Of course, I have no way of knowing what Lincoln was actually like, but it just feels like Lewis captured the essence of everything I imagine Lincoln was like. That aura of intelligence and sadness, of a love for the common man combined with the knowledge that he will never truly be one of them. And just below the surface, disguised by the easy charm of a master storyteller, a will of pure iron that will lead the nation, even to places they might prefer not to go.
Even in rooms full of people, Lewis paints a portrait of a man who stands alone. Always quiet and thoughtful, to the point that you just begin to suspect he might not be paying attention, and then he speaks and reveals a profound depth of intelligence. Not the arrogant intelligence of someone who dismisses those of lesser capacity, but a grounded, earthy intellect that embraces the views of everyone around him. In short, Lewis creates a vision of Lincoln that I would like to believe is true, given his importance to our nation and its history.
If you haven't seen it yet, I can't recommend this movie enough. I may be wrong, but I think 'Lincoln' will go down as a great movie with several wonderful performances and one magnificent performance by one of acting's greats at the height of his ability.