Spielberg is a GENIUS!!!!!

Rating: 8/10 (16 December 2012)

This is the type of film that the members of the Academy of Motions Pictures just fawn over. It's a period piece, historical in nature, well written, wonderfully filmed, a star-studded ensemble cast, and superiorly acted. This film will be well rewarded in the upcoming award season. Even though this was truly an unbelievable film, (for me) there seemed to be something missing that hint of intensity / drama / chutzpah that changes a really good film into a really great movie. Please do not get me wrong, do I feel that this film should be shown in every American History class across the United States ABSOLUTELY!!! However, being an avid movie watcher who enjoys viewing the same film numerous times; I am not so that this film is the same caliber as some of Spielberg's other marvelous films (i.e. – Schindler's List, Saving Private Ryan, E.T.), nor do I feel the want/desire to view this film again.
Set in the winter of 1865 as the Civil War is coming to a close, Abraham Lincoln (played wonderfully by Daniel Day Lewis) comes to the realization that he must use every fathomable power within his means to expedite the passing of the 13th Amendment: Abolishing Slavery before the war ends. Being a former lawyer, he recognizes that if "slaves" are still considered "property" of the plantation owners at the war's end, then this will be a negotiable clause in the War Reparations talks, and a point of concession for the North in order to end the war before the upcoming Spring fighting is re-initiated. Lincoln's only course of action is to amend the Constitution prior to the war's end.
Steven Spielberg is an extraordinary director, who excels at getting the best performances from his acclaimed actors; this is never more ubiquitous than in this film. The performance of Daniel Day Lewis as Abraham Lincoln is nothing less than astounding. I have read that it had taken Spielberg nearly 10 years of pursuit to finally securing Lewis' acceptance to this role. I can tell you now, it was definitely worth it. Lewis personifies Lincoln, the likeness and make-up is astonishing, and he (Lewis) is definitely the front runner candidate for the Best Actor awards this year. However, kudos can also be given to Sally Field's performance as Mary Todd Lincoln, and even more so to Tommy Lee Jones' performance as Thaddeus Stevens sure to win him some well deserved accolades in the Male Actor Supporting role categories.
This is truly a wonderful film, and a definite "MUST SEE" film in which I highly recommend for this holiday season. With very little competition from any other Oscar worthy films thus far this year, this film could very easily sweep the Academy Awards field this year , a feat in which only three other films have ever accomplished: Silence of the Lambs (1991), One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975), and It Happened One Night (1934). I anticipate 'Titanic' like nominations and wins (14 Nominations / 11 Wins) for this film, and Steven Spielberg to secure his third Best Director's Oscar (Schindler's List-1993, Saving Private Ryan-1998) and second Best Picture award (Schindler's List / Saving Private Ryan lost to Shakespeare In Love-1998).
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