Informative, Engaging & Enlightening, Lincoln Is Essential Viewing

Rating: Null/10 (7 October 2013)

Helmed by one of the most celebrated filmmakers of all time & starring the greatest actor of his generation in a truly iconic role, Lincoln is an elegantly crafted, meticulously detailed & patiently narrated biopic that attempts to capture on screen the legacy of Abraham Lincoln; considered by many to be the greatest President in United States history and for the most part, it simply works.
Set in 1865 during the American Civil War, Lincoln chronicles the final four months in the life of US President Abraham Lincoln & focuses on his efforts to pass a landmark constitutional amendment that aims to abolish slavery forever from the United States. With thousands of people getting slaughtered everyday, Lincoln races against time to secure the future of his nation by obtaining enough votes before it is too late.
Directed by Steven Spielberg, the 21st century has been a semi-retirement mode for the revered filmmaker but every once in a while, he does give us a glimpse of why he is one of the best in the business for Lincoln is crafted with precision attention to detail & accuracy, is highly character-driven & technically sound. Tony Kushner's script is another little gem that's patient with its content & takes a methodical approach in bringing the story to life.
Production design is stellar for the story really benefits from its authentic set pieces. Same can be said about the costumes as well. Cinematography makes excellent use of lighting & camera movements. Editing is where Lincoln becomes a two-way street for its deliberately slowed down pace makes the drama more immersive for some while for others, it becomes a snooze fest. And John Williams' music is yet another mesmerising addition to Spielberg- Williams collaboration.
But what actually saves the film & makes it worth sitting through all the frustrating & snail- paced narrative is the breathtaking performance by Daniel Day-Lewis as Abraham Lincoln. Nailing the looks, mannerisms & possibly the voice as well, Day-Lewis absolutely steals the show & it's hard to look elsewhere when he's on the screen. Sally Field ends up being a bit hammy in her role of Mary Todd Lincoln while Tommy Lee Jones is as reliable as ever in his rendition of Thaddeus Stevens.
On an overall scale, Lincoln may not be what mainstream audience like to call "entertaining" due to its dialogue-driven plot, glacial pace, political storyline & lack of action but it still makes up for an engaging & informative historical drama that sheds an interesting light on the legend whose oratory skills & leadership qualities has continued to inspire & influence the politics around the world. Riding on Spielberg's assured direction & bolstered by Day-Lewis' knockout performance, Lincoln comes thoroughly recommended.