In an Oscar-worthy performance, Daniel Day-Lewis brings President Abe Lincoln to the big screen and brilliantly transports the viewer back to the darkest of times in American history. With looming presence and incredible elocution perfected for this role, he is joined by the amazing Tommy Lee Jones, Sally Fields, Hal Holbrook and a host of other superior artists, including Black actors in smaller roles. In my opinion, the film should eventually be brought into high school classrooms. Brutal battleground and military hospital scenes, three in total, keep me from recommending it for younger children.
President Lincoln was clearly a brilliant and compassionate man, his moral core palpable in nearly every scene of this portrayal. Though we all know his story, it's good to be reminded of both human fragility and potential. What has really changed? Well, war has, with hand-to-hand combat almost completely segued to robotic maneuvers. Still, can't help but notice what remains at the core.
One little technicality I noticed... "ain't" was used by our main character several times during the film, telling me that it must have been acceptable during the 1800's. Humph! News to me. This is going to take some research, on my part. I had no idea.
The little gold man named Oscar is written all over this film. Kudos to Steven Spielberg.
