Movie / Lincoln

It was more with a sense of duty than anticipation that I went to go and see Lincoln a few weeks ago. I’m a big fan of awards season, even though I rarely fall for the same films that the more prestigious film viewers among us choose to nominate. With a mind-numbing 158 minutes ahead of me, complete with patriotic scores and ‘award-winning’ performances that involve some crying here and some shouting there, I was convinced Spielberg’s latest wouldn’t buck this trend.

And, hey, it didn’t.

No, Lincoln isn’t a bad film at all - it is filled with riveting performances and stunning authenticity. But at the end of the day, it’s just… there. It gets in, hits the expected notes (in no particular rush), and then throws in the towel with no real surprises from start to finish. That’s not necessarily a bad thing – my brother remained glued to the screen throughout – but it’s just not for me. I’m not faulting Lincoln, I just knew what I was getting when I went into the cinema.

Daniel Day Lewis takes on the titular role, proving to be on form as ever (fully deserving his recent BAFTA victory). The acclaimed actor takes on the monumental role with unexpected calm. This is a patient portrayal of a man up against extreme pressures, often holding back until the film builds to its final act. It’s quite refreshing to see a performance that isn’t so clearly focused on prowess, rather commitment. It’s hard to call the role faithful, given the lack of a recording of the real thing’s vocals, but neither is it fair to call it exaggerated.  Wonderfully tempered and measured, it will likely go down as the actor’s standout role.

As the famous president fights to abolish slavery there are hints of a more troubled life behind the scenes. Lincoln’s wife (Sally Field) battles with immense grief while his oldest son (Joseph Gordon Levitt) longs to serve his country in the on-going civil war. These precious moments that explore more than just his role in the Thirteenth Amendment are to be cherished, as they’re the only unexpected portion of the film and end up feeling decidedly underdeveloped.

The other highlight is Tommy Lee Jones, playing a Tommy Lee Jones character (Thaddeus Stevens) in the past. Here he leans a little on his US Marshal side to deliver consistent laughs and smile-rendering insults against his political opposition. His story arc ends up being the most memorable part of the film as he easily shows the most passion and conflict for the cause.

There’s not a doubt in my mind that Lincoln is every bit the epic it’s billed to be. It’s just that said epicness isn’t what I sign up for in a movie. I can’t fault the film for what it is (apart from the stupendous length), but I’d certainly warn cinema-goers of a similar mind to give it a miss.