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Everyone involved in this film, from the cast to the producers, was absolutely outstanding. It exceeded almost all of my expectations. I've seen countless documentaries and films about American history and seen many Lincoln and Washington actors come and go. But Daniel Day-Lewis made me feel as if I was actually in the room with the real Lincoln. Almost all the scenes did that as well and made me feel like I was in the room with those people. Not many movies can do that for me.
Now obviously, it is a sensitive film since it discusses the disgusting mark on humanity that is slavery. But this film made me realize from multiple perspectives how important the passing of the 13th Amendment was, both for the Republicans and the Democrats. It gave me a clear picture as to how both sides really felt about it. Context and hearing everyone out is important. This movie fulfilled that.
And one scene that almost made me cry a bit was the beginning of the voting of the 13th Amendment when everyone looked up and saw how many African-Americans were sitting in the gallery and were either happy or disgusted. But one of the Republican representatives said "We welcome you, ladies and gentlemen, first in the history of this people's chamber, to your House". Everyone started clapping and I wanted to as well. I wish more of our politicians of today treated people with that much respect on a regular basis.
Overall, I'd definitely watch this movie again if I had the chance. I love American history and invest a lot of time into politics and still find this movie to be top-notch.
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I fucking adored Tommy Lee Jones and his savageness in this movie he was an amazing part of an amazing movie and at the end of the movie when they reveal why thaddeus Stevens was so passionate about getting this bill passed when he asked for a copy of the bill to take home that was just icing on the cake. I swear to jesus Daniel day Lewis must've done a fucking seance and let the spirit of the real abe Lincoln possess him because holy shit he was incredible.
I think it's the stories that sell it. It's not the spectacular oratory, or the personal moments with his family. The thing that really tipped it into 'this is a real person' were the little moments where he's storytelling. They're almost superfluous to the plot, but give such a richness of character and personality.
I totally agree. I think the best touch was that DDL did his research and knew old honest abe had a high reedy Kentucky accented voice not that deep booming voice we always used to associate with him
it opens!!!
I’m a huge American History nerd, so I jumped at the chance to see this film, and I’m so glad I did.
Daniel Day-Lewis IS Lincoln in this film. It really felt like I was watching the real Lincoln and not a person playing him. DDL captured everything about Lincoln perfectly. I walked out of the theater and the first thing I said was “Hand him the Oscar now.”
He absolutely deserved the Oscar for the role. He BECAME Lincoln in a way nobody else could.
Richard Gere Arbitrage
This movie was fantastic but the perfect ending would've cut off at him leaving for the theater.
I kind of disagree. That would have been needlessly “epic” and kind of on the nose for the tone of that movie. Besides, I really liked the misdirect during the play.
The one thing everybody agrees about. Should be cut out when Lincoln walks out of the room.
Not a bad idea. Or maybe him and Molly having a conversation on the way there and then holding hands walking into the theater. But I like your idea
Or that, I don't think the part of him dying was really necessary and felt kind of pedantic.
Follow it up immediately with The Conspirator. If follows the events in the immediate aftermath of Lincoln’s assassination (it picks up right where Spielberg’s leaves off, despite being made first). They make an excellent companion piece as both cover similar thematic grounds from different lenses.
This is a very underrated movie - you might be the only person I've ever seen talk about it. It has James McAvoy, Robin Wright (Penn), and Evan Rachel Wood.
It’s such an excellent companion movie to Lincoln. I discovered watching McAvoy’s fimography and was blown away at solidly direct it was. It feels like the director wanted to make a Spielberg level epic out of a personal story in the middle of major historical events and works so well as a pay off when you’re riding the emotions of Spielberg’s Lincoln.
Robert Redford directed it! The other film 'Parkland' by his company was also fantastic. It was about the immediate aftermath of JFK's shooting.
No arguments here. Lewis was superlative.
I've not seen this one! I'll add it to my list, thanks for the recommendation!
It's one of my favorites too.
Maybe my favorite scene is one where there's a bunch of tension in the White House war room and Lincoln reclines in his chair and starts speaking loudly, quieting everyone, before one of his contemporaries interjects and shouts wildly that he can't bear "another one of your stories!"
..then Lincoln chuckles as he storms out of the room and tells a great story.
Here's the scene
Truly a great film, one of my favorites too (though that’s partially just because I love Lincoln to an almost unhealthy level). One thing I will note though is how it’s somehow feels influenced by the politics of the moment it was created. I’ve made this joke before and I’m sure others have said that “Lincoln is the best movie about Barack Obama ever made.” I don’t even know if that’s true, but some moments feels like it is based on “today”
I still haven't watched it. No good reason not to either. I love Lewis, Spielberg, Abraham Lincoln (even if he isnt killing vampires)
Maybe it's time.
It’s absolutely time. There’s a very damn good reason Daniel Day Lewis won the Oscar for this role. He’s basically a spitting image of the real Lincoln. If you look at a picture of the real person and then of DDL as Lincoln, it can be very hard to tell the difference.
oscars = American award
lincoln = American hero
Daniel Day-Lewis and Tommy Lee Jones were incredible, but it was James Spader that actually stole the movie for me. His character was so much fun.
Same! I couldn't believe that man would go on to play Ultron lol
Must watch this again. Got bored the first time but that was no doubt just the frame of mind I was in at the time. It's the kind of movie I love really.
The axe work on these vampires was tight
At first you'll feel like this movie is a bore. Its all about trying to pass a bill in Congress with a bunch of curmudgeons, realpolitik, and cultural ideologies. A lot of the movie is based in meeting rooms and Congress. But its just so well damn acted that its a triumph of a movie.
One of my favorites. I saw it in a small art house theater, but it was fantastic even on a slightly small screen.
Spielberg hasn’t made a great movie since Minority Report. Lincoln was forgettable
Richard Gere deserved best actor nom that year
the movie should be re-titled "Lincoln vs. the 13th amendment"