Lincoln (2012)

Lincoln (2012)

7/10

Starring

Daniel Day-Lewis

Sally Field

David Strathairn

Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Directed by Steven Spielberg

Lincoln is wonderful, and Daniel Day-Lewis’s performance in this movie is well worth his Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. Day-Lewis has already won the Academy Award for Best Actor twice—for My Left Foot in 1989 and There Will Be Blood in 2007. If I was a betting man, I would place my money on him to win this one too.

Steven Spielberg put his masterful directing skills to work in this future classic, which he also produced. The movie focuses on the final moments of Abraham Lincoln’s time in office as the President of the United States. At the time, the country was at war and on the brink of significant change. Lincoln was at the forefront, fighting against all opposition to end the war and bring an end to slavery. The film also depicts the steps Lincoln and his party took to win over others and secure the necessary votes to abolish slavery.

I thoroughly enjoyed Daniel Day-Lewis’s portrayal of Lincoln—his voice, his movements, everything. Spielberg didn’t overlook Lincoln’s love for storytelling, as we get to hear many of his tales throughout the movie, which he used to convey his messages.

This movie is truly great and wonderful, and I’m glad I got to see it. I’m not American, nor have I ever had the desire to be one, but Lincoln’s actions abolished slavery and paved the way for the Black race to be seen as equals. Although it took years of more battles and more assassinations to achieve the freedom we see today—culminating in a Black man becoming the President of America and even winning a second term—Lincoln’s role was pivotal.

For historical purposes, the movie does have its inaccuracies, but despite that, it’s a fantastic documentary-style drama for those interested in the struggles Lincoln faced while trying to end the war. From the battles on the warfront to those in the Senate, and even Lincoln’s personal battles at home, this movie covers it all.

Did I enjoy this movie? Yes, I did. But if you’re not into history or documentaries, you might find it a bit slow. Lincoln was both a critical and commercial success, and it’s undoubtedly one for the record books.

After seeing Silver Linings Playbook, I thought no performance could match what Bradley Cooper delivered. However, Daniel Day-Lewis’s acting not only matches it but surpasses it, in my opinion. So, my pick for the Oscar for Best Actor would definitely be Day-Lewis.