Review of Lincoln (2012) by Adam M — 28 Feb 2014

This was, for me, one of the three best films of last year. It's an audacious film in many ways, confining itself, as it does, mainly to interiors. But what happens in the those rooms is gripping. Day Lewis is compelling, and Tommy Lee Jones is clearly having fun, and the ever dependable David Straithairn and Sally Field round off the central cast nicely (not forgetting James Spader's colourful political lobbyist).

Kushner's script allows the action to unfold with a certain delightful theatricality, and Spielberg rightly respects it enough to avoid fancy camerawork and showy camera moves that sometimes mark his style.

This is mature Spielberg, restrained Spielberg, a Spielberg who, for this film at least, opts for a 'less is more' approach to his directing, and the film is stronger for it. I liked this film enough to see it twice at the cinema, and have seen it a number of times since on DVD.

5 stars all round.