Fantastic. That's how I'd describe the final month of Abraham Lincoln's life. Boring. That's how I'd describe Steven Spielberg's retelling of such events in his most recent call for Oscar attention, otherwise known as Lincoln.
Bringing together a stellar cast of noteworthy talent, Spielberg had the pieces required to make a true epic masterpiece. Regretfully, with the exception of Daniel Day-Lewis as the famed 16th President of the United States, the film offers up little to get patriotic (or even excited) about as it chugs along at a dismal pace that requires an unusual amount of attention to not succumb to the sleep that beckons so strongly.
I will credit Spielberg for his eye as the cinematography is undeniably stunning from start to finish. But for all the greatness that exudes from that, it is all but shattered by the rough editing work and overbearing use of melodramatics that drown the film out from its prospective prosperity. I'm all for creating a little drama where it benefits the story, but forcing it on us at every turn is anything but commendable.
Day-Lewis most definitely warrants an Oscar nomination for his work here; anything less will be considered an absolute travesty given his transformation and physical likeness to the man known as Honest Abe. Unfortunately, some of his co-stars will likely get noticed as well thanks to his own performance and the mere mention of Spielberg's name.
For all the fuss, there is approximately fifteen minutes worth of Lincoln that is exciting and worthy of a watch"”the vote that was put forth to ratify the Constitution with the Thirteenth Amendment. The stylistic showcase during those few moments makes the film bearable in many respects, ultimately paving way to the final moments that I'd been patiently waiting to see for quite some time.
I cannot attest to the historical accuracy of the picture, though I feel it worth noting that if the story is buried in fact (which I highly doubt) then a new light shines brightly on our "honest" former President. We get to see the man use his political savvy to reach the goals that he so strongly wishes to achieve. For whatever reason, I've never seen the man in a top hat as a true-to-life politician. For better or for worse, Lincoln gives him that swagger.
