One word to describe this film: BORING. The film should have been called "13th Amendment" instead of "Lincoln".

Rating: 3/10 (24 April 2013)

Totally overrated.
So you have the name Spielberg attached to it, a beautiful production and cast and Oscar-winner Daniel Day-Lewis... HOWEVER, underneath all that, this is one BORING film.
What do we go to to the movies for? Mostly entertainment. Spielberg and this film seems to totally forget that element.
It's obvious the screenwriter is more of a playwright than knowing the smooth flow, dramatic transitioning, and pacing translating it on film.
The film is just talking heads the entire film and seems better suited for a stage performance or TV series.
In the making, they mentioned the first draft of the screenplay was over 500 pages (generally, one page is worth 1 minute of screen time); so, originally, it would have been over an 8 hour film.
Spielberg had to cut it down a lot, and he decided the most important part of the book adaptation was the "13th Amendment" section.
The title of the film "Lincoln" is very misleading. It really should have just been called "13th Amendment" but of course that would be a horrible marketing title.
I mean, there's a few scenes where they tried to show the personal side of Lincoln and his family, like the relationship with Lincoln and his son (played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt) but it really doesn't go anywhere and feels totally incomplete.
If one really had no idea or ever heard of who Lincoln was, they really wouldn't get much out of this film either.
The whole film just focuses on trying to pass the "13th Amendment" with Lincoln hiring men to convince Democrats to switch their votes. It's extremely boring and frustrating to watch and listen. You might as well watch C-Span.
The pacing of the film is really horrible and it drags the entire time from start to finish - there really is no high point -- yet the ending feels completely rushed.
This is by far the most boring film Spielberg has ever produced. Don't be fooled by high production visuals/set and performance.
This may be enjoyed by history critics (whether they agree with its accuracy or not), but for people who are looking for a full pleasurable movie-going experience, this film is not it, especially if you don't care for politics.
I also feel Denzel Washington was robbed for Best Actor in 'Flight' for the Oscars; his performance was much more powerful throughout the entire film than Daniel Day-Lewis as Lincoln. Even a 6 year old can play as Lincoln on a school play...