This new film about Abraham Lincoln will be most interesting to people with a little understanding of and interest in history, but anyone who's just survived the most recent American election process ought to find the back-room, bare-knuckle politikin' fascinating. I loath politics... and found myself riveted.
Lincoln is a good film.
The amazing part is not so much the story or situation - which is pretty compelling, being the passage of the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution which outlaws slavery - or the fascinating collection of characters, but the real amazement is your utter conviction that you're sitting there in the dark watching Lincoln - Lincoln himself - pacing the screen. Mesmerizing. Actor Daniel Day Lewis is... well, he doesn't seem to be there at all.
The movie feels talky (this IS politics) and there are no car chases or even the Civil War cavalry charge equivalent; it's closest in feeling to a courtroom drama, where the interest comes from what's said and what the final vote will be. Not a film everyone will find fun - but history and/or acting buffs may want to own it on DVD as soon as they can.
There are many outstanding performances, including that of Tommy Lee Jones, and I'm just more and more impressed by Steven Spielberg's career... I'd say the guy will need a monument eventually, except that he's creating it with every film.
Now I've got to get my hands on the book this film is based on!
No comments:
Post a Comment