Lincoln
Steven Spielberg's political biopic of the 16th President of the USA, written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Tony Kushner. Focusing on the final four months of his life, Lincoln (Daniel Day-Lewis, winner of the Golden Globe for this performance) clashes with members of his cabinet on the road to abolishing slavery and ending the American Civil War.
Unsatisfied that his Emancipation Proclamation will be enough to safeguard the freedom of slaves after the conclusion of fighting, Lincoln seeks to push a 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution through the House of Representatives that would formally bring slavery to an end. To do so, Lincoln will need to convince members of his own Republican party and win over enough Democrats to pass the vote. The task will require the politician's famed debating and speechmaking skills, but also a dabble in unsavoury methods in the shadows of democracy.
Kushner's screenplay is based on Doris Kearns Goodwin's biography Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln. The cast also includes Sally Field as Lincoln's wife, Joseph Gordon-Levitt as his son, Tommy Lee Jones as a Congressional leader and Jackie Earle Haley as the secessionists' Vice-President.
- Director:
- Steven Spielberg ('Jaws', 'Raiders of the Lost Ark', 'E.T', 'Jurassic Park', 'Schindler's List', 'Saving Private Ryan')
- Writer:
- Tony Kushner
- Cast:
- Daniel Day-LewisJoseph Gordon-LevittTommy Lee JonesSally FieldJackie Earle HaleyMichael StuhlbargLee PaceJared HarrisJames SpaderJohn HawkesDavid Strathairn
Reviews & comments
If only I wasn't a historical dunce...
I hated history in school. I was terrible at it, the topics bored me and the movies they played to accompany the education were about as exciting as a trigonometry test. 'Lincoln' made me fortunate that I didn't grow up in America as a 2013 high school student, because I didn't need more reasons to fall asleep in class. Amongst the glut of edutainment and...
In the end, all art reaction is subjective.
I am sorry that you were, apparently, disappointed with this effort. Personally, I found it a very worthwhile experience. Perhaps you would find greater satisfaction with Raymond Massey's 1940 portrayal in 'Abe Lincoln in Illiniois'. It is now available on an NTSC R0 disc, although not from NZ sources. Then again, it too is quite expository and may also be...
Vampire Hunter
Lincoln Just like reading a book, dates and everything leading up to events. Similar to 'The Help' in the way it portrayed the plight and situations of black workers/slaves. No vampire hunting or blood splatteringly graphic, but still worth watching, amazing scenes, acting and costumes. So much like 'Pride and Prejudice' showing the reprocussions of...
Surprisingly Ensemble
This is not a film to see when one is tired or drunk. It doesn't go in for a large amount of exposition, nor does it talk down to the audience. This is a film which requires you to pay attention in order to follow the details - especially if you are not overly au fait with the American Civil War or the American governmental structure. I wouldn't say I'm...
Lacking Lincoln
My husband didn't want to go because he thought it wouldn't be his type of film. But the thought of buttery salty popcorn to watch it with, made him change his mind. Unfortunately the popcorn was the highlight of going to watch this movie. I do see how American's might rave about Daniel's performance - however the overall experience was long & dull. About...
Linc-yawn
When Steven Spielberg teamed up with playwright Tony ('Angels in America') Kushner as his writer on 'Munich,' the result was an historically based movie with something to say morally that was never less than riveting entertainment. So, the promise of the two reteaming to bring us the tale of Abraham Lincoln was one I was looking forward to. And why not?...
Variety
pressEvery choice Day-Lewis makes lends dignity and gravitas to America's most revered figure.
Total Film
pressSteeped in the bitter political divisions of the Civil War, Spielberg’s thrilling film about hardwon freedoms is immersed in its own time, but speaks eloquently to ours.
The New York Times
pressA rough and noble democratic masterpiece — an omen, perhaps, that movies for the people shall not perish from the earth.
The Guardian
pressWhat a feat from Day-Lewis: the nearest thing a 21st-century biopic can get to a seance.
Roger Ebert
pressThe hallmark of the man, performed so powerfully by Daniel Day-Lewis, is calm self-confidence, patience and a willingness to play politics in a realistic way.
Los Angeles Times
pressThere is nothing bravura or overly emotional about Spielberg's direction here, but the impeccable filmmaking is no less impressive for being quiet and to the point.
Hollywood Reporter
pressAn absorbing, densely packed, sometimes funny telling of the 16th president's masterful effort in manipulating the passage of the 13th amendment.
Empire Magazine
pressAs unexpected as it is intelligent, thanks to virtuoso work from Spielberg and Kushner, Lincoln is landmark filmmaking, while Day-Lewis is so authentic he pulls off that stovepipe.
Variety
pressEvery choice Day-Lewis makes lends dignity and gravitas to America's most revered figure.
Total Film
pressSteeped in the bitter political divisions of the Civil War, Spielberg’s thrilling film about hardwon freedoms is immersed in its own time, but speaks eloquently to ours.
The New York Times
pressA rough and noble democratic masterpiece — an omen, perhaps, that movies for the people shall not perish from the earth.
The Guardian
pressWhat a feat from Day-Lewis: the nearest thing a 21st-century biopic can get to a seance.
Roger Ebert
pressThe hallmark of the man, performed so powerfully by Daniel Day-Lewis, is calm self-confidence, patience and a willingness to play politics in a realistic way.
Los Angeles Times
pressThere is nothing bravura or overly emotional about Spielberg's direction here, but the impeccable filmmaking is no less impressive for being quiet and to the point.
Hollywood Reporter
pressAn absorbing, densely packed, sometimes funny telling of the 16th president's masterful effort in manipulating the passage of the 13th amendment.
Empire Magazine
pressAs unexpected as it is intelligent, thanks to virtuoso work from Spielberg and Kushner, Lincoln is landmark filmmaking, while Day-Lewis is so authentic he pulls off that stovepipe.
If only I wasn't a historical dunce...
I hated history in school. I was terrible at it, the topics bored me and the movies they played to accompany the education were about as exciting as a trigonometry test. 'Lincoln' made me fortunate that I didn't grow up in America as a 2013 high school student, because I didn't need more reasons to fall asleep in class. Amongst the glut of edutainment and...
In the end, all art reaction is subjective.
I am sorry that you were, apparently, disappointed with this effort. Personally, I found it a very worthwhile experience. Perhaps you would find greater satisfaction with Raymond Massey's 1940 portrayal in 'Abe Lincoln in Illiniois'. It is now available on an NTSC R0 disc, although not from NZ sources. Then again, it too is quite expository and may also...
Vampire Hunter
Lincoln Just like reading a book, dates and everything leading up to events. Similar to 'The Help' in the way it portrayed the plight and situations of black workers/slaves. No vampire hunting or blood splatteringly graphic, but still worth watching, amazing scenes, acting and costumes. So much like 'Pride and Prejudice' showing the reprocussions of...
Surprisingly Ensemble
This is not a film to see when one is tired or drunk. It doesn't go in for a large amount of exposition, nor does it talk down to the audience. This is a film which requires you to pay attention in order to follow the details - especially if you are not overly au fait with the American Civil War or the American governmental structure. I wouldn't say...
Lacking Lincoln
My husband didn't want to go because he thought it wouldn't be his type of film. But the thought of buttery salty popcorn to watch it with, made him change his mind. Unfortunately the popcorn was the highlight of going to watch this movie. I do see how American's might rave about Daniel's performance - however the overall experience was long & dull. About...
Linc-yawn
When Steven Spielberg teamed up with playwright Tony ('Angels in America') Kushner as his writer on 'Munich,' the result was an historically based movie with something to say morally that was never less than riveting entertainment. So, the promise of the two reteaming to bring us the tale of Abraham Lincoln was one I was looking forward to. And why not?...
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