I am sure the critics who have praised this film are doing so in deference to Lewis and Spielberg, whose resumes are undeniably impressive; however, the film drags on and on (2 hours and 29 minutes). In one scene when Lincoln starts to tell yet another story, one character screams and says he can’t sit through another one. The enraged fellow stalks off the set, and I felt like I wanted to join him.
I think the saddest part of all is thinking about the film that this could have been. The “drama” that Spielberg tries to force feed us is all the machinations that went into passing the 13th Amendment to abolish slavery. While this is an interesting historical piece, it would have been much more suitable on the History Channel and not in a movie theatre. The conflict is here, but as the film drags on, it seems like it never will end. I judge a movie by how many times I look at my watch, and during the course of this one I did so countless times.
I think credit must be given for cinematography (Janusz Kaminski), set decoration (Jim Erickson and Peter T. Frank), and costume design (Joanna Johnston). The film clearly establishes setting in extraordinary fashion – you feel transported to 1865. I am certain with 12 Oscar nominations under its belt, that this film will take home some gold, maybe all of it, but sometimes in the past the best film didn’t win and that will be the case here for certain.
Lincoln can be appreciated for the craft of making the world of 1865 come alive and for the superior performance of Lewis as Lincoln, but otherwise it is a towering disappointment, as big and empty as that stove pipe hat that Lincoln wore. We can only hope that this is an aberration and that Spielberg will bounce back to true form with his next production.
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Article comments
1 - JW
I disagree. I thought the film was fascinating, alive with ideas, and evoked a time past vividly. Your review seems to echo the sentiments of a culture much too accustomed to being entertained by non-stop action and cheap thrills, and sadly much too out of touch with quiet intelligent dialogue and storytelling.
2 - Igor
Maybe it requires a foreign moviemaker to portray such an American icon.
3 - James Nelson
Igor, that could very well be true, but then American films have been making historic figures into Saints for years. There is a really good movie to made about Lincoln and probably any of the founding fathers, but at this stage in his career, I don't believe that Spielberg, as good as he is, is the director to bring those stories to the screen. I want to see Lincoln the human being, with virtues and flaws.
4 - Igor
Maybe a standard Hollywood dramatic bio-pic can't do the job.
5 - Thomas
I would enjoy a film about Mary Todd post husband. She was reported to have worn 59,000 in cash sewn in her petty coat in Chicago in the 1870s Or Wilkes Booth's killer. a man who castrated himself..Little known historical data.
6 - Jim
After the novelty of the set and actor wears off which happens in first minutes,it becomes super boring..mostly uninteresting talking. I fell asleep. They should have used the "Lincoln" miniseries movie script staring Sam Waterston as Lincoln and Mary Tyler Moore as his wife. Watch that one instead.
7 - c
i am with Jim, just super boring.. when i go to the movies and pay money i am wanting to be entertained...action yes, drama yes...if i wanted to be this bored i could stayed at home saved my money and watched desperate housewives...