Great history film

Rating: 8/10 (1 February 2013)

Chronicles the last months of his life, full of anguish and pain, on the eve of his new mandate and using as a central theme the political strategy leading towards the adoption of Amendment 13 of the constitution that abolished slavery in final form in the United States and gave them the freedom they had fought both the northern states against the South in the brutal civil war still developing.
The script is developed with numerous dialogs, particularly political, among its proponents and opponents in the debates in the House of Representatives and in conversations with the president. It is evident, as in all the world, not only the need for discussion with legislators, but to negotiate their vote with threats, jobs offerings for the next government, electoral tricks to achieve the required votes, last-minute anxieties, the President's emergency pressure to the undecided or weak of character and the final achievement and success. It shows the human weakness, the potential political corruption and "lobbying" necessary to achieve something that would not have much discussion for any rational human being. It's hard to follow the plot initially for those who do not know as to detail the characters history of that era in North America, but as it progresses captivates the attention of any viewer with suspense, painful narrative of the war, the skillful representation of different political and human characters, the pressure and anxiety of the family, the leadership of Lincoln with his attitude, his philosophical and humorous anecdotes, sensitivity and recognition of many and also tedious but necessary work obliged to develop for a recognized leader by almost everyone.
Much of the story takes place in closed, dark, gloomy environments, with ongoing conversations, with a picture that reflects the atmosphere of tension, pain and anguish of those moments and tricks that many wanted to take advantage. With music by John Williams very consistent with the scenes, perfect photography, you get good lesson of history and humanity is received.
A great actor, Daniel Day-Lewis, succeed in showing all the reasons why Abraham Lincoln, with his leadership managed to shape the future of the new United States. The actions of his wife, Sallie Field as Mary Lincoln, exaggerated and out of context with what was presented, nevertheless include elements that describe the drama of the inner life of the couple and their troubles.
I loved the performance of Tommy Lee Jones as Thaddeus Stevens, leader of the Republican and strong supporter of the amendment, by its ironic and devastating opinions against his opponents.
Worth watching to complement and better understand what this change has meant to mankind.