Review of Lincoln (2012) by Kristen M — 01 Jun 2014

Thaddeus Stevens (Tommy Lee Jones): Trust? Gentlemen, you seem to have forgotten that our chosen career is politics.

Daniel Day-Lewis was simply spectacular; he completely disappeared in this role and embodied a very realistic Lincoln. In fact, the entire cast was pretty amazing and the best surprise was watching the often underrated Lee Pace; he was too awesome an actor and gave just a wonderfully passionate performance as the misguided Fernando Wood. Sally Field (Mary Todd-Lincoln) was also exquisite and Tommy Lee Jones' Thaddeus Stevens was nothing short of brilliant. It was also interesting that the film focused more on President Lincoln as a man, a brilliant mind and struggling to balance the burdens of leadership with his personal life, as oppose to just centering solely on the controversies that surrounded the abolition of slavery. It was truly fascinating watching the process Mr. Lincoln and his associates had go through in order to pass the act and make one of the most important Amendments to the American Constitution and this country's history. This was a masterfully executed film and it really demonstrates why Steven Spielberg is a true artist of his craft.