But for Daniel Day Lewis . . .

Rating: Null/10 (16 November 2012)

Daniel Day Lewis' outstanding performance as Lincoln was squandered in this film. I left the theater tonight feeling dejected that such an historical figure during such an historical time could be handled in such an uninspiring, emotionally flat manner. I think Spielberg was way out of his league attempting to dramatize what was already an extremely dramatic story. Even the John Williams score was a huge let-down. I can hardly believe how disappointed I am with this film. I am saddened because Day Lewis' Lincoln in more capable directing hands, and with a more superior screenplay, could have been the film we all needed to see after such tumult in the country these days. But no, the film barely rose to the occasion. There were a handful of well-crafted scenes, but the rest was quite superficial despite the beautiful, historically accurate window dressing.
Many audience members in my theater tonight walked out midway through the film (and probably snuck into the James Bond film next door, or even Twilight.) Who could blame them? As a dramatic movie, it was mediocre, and Lincoln deserved better.
To add to the disappointment was the frequent obscenity. I did not bring my teens to see Lincoln in order to hear him say "sh**" and "g*d-d*mn" (also spoken often by other characters in the film.) And James Spader was a joke - and confirmed that he has become a one-trick pony and a caricature of himself, and a pathetic one at that.
If you sense some hostility towards this film, I admit I am feeling hostile at the moment. The film is not good, plain and simple. Daniel Day Lewis was amazing, but because the film was so uninspiring and superficial, even his performance started to suffer in that context - as if Spielberg just wanted to get him on screen doing Lincoln as "Lincoln at the table" and "Lincoln telling stories" and "Here's Lincoln walking down the hall" and "Oh, wait, there's Lincoln riding a horse." Perhaps Spielberg was so mesmerized with Day Lewis' Lincoln that he forgot he was supposed to be making a movie.
My objective gauge is the outstanding film "Amazing Grace." That film deals with a similar topic, and features many historical characters, and manages to be enthralling, heart- breaking, inspiring, and utterly unforgettable. Spielberg's "Lincoln" falls so short in comparison. The only tears I shed are my tears of disappointment.