A strong movie - in every aspect

Rating: 8/10 (3 January 2013)

Steven Spielberg has done it again... Created a powerful movie with solid plot (with real events and characters) and employed talented character actors, incl. several Academy Award winners. Of course, the screenplay is compact (created by world-famous Tony Kushner) and not catchy for those not fond of history and/or something happening in a limited time and space. And, above all, the movie is made for Americans - by Americans - and could be a good aid in teaching/learning 19th century American history; Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution was really a major step in the U.S. politics back then.
All the cast is evenly strong, with the most brilliant (and most frequently visible) performances carried out by 3 Academy Award winners (Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, Tommy Lee Jones) and 1 nominee (David Strathairn). All them, starting with Day-Lewis, could be strong candidates for another Academy Awards. But those in smaller roles are also very good: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, James Spader, Tim Blake Nelson... All versatile actors, no just "cute faces". On the other hand, a dignitary person like Spielberg can afford this.
Lincoln by Spielberg is a tough and serious movie without any usual entertainment nuances. And even in the United States history there have been not too many presidents with so broad views and comprehension as Lincoln, politicians have dominated over statesmen.