Review of Young Mr. Lincoln (1939) by Zack B — 21 Aug 2010

Unlike many modern biopics, which are little more than superficial recaps of historical figures' bullet-pointed lives, "Young Mr. Lincoln" presents roughly a year in the life of our nation's 16th president - plus a prologue of his days growing up in Kentucky - as a historical drama of the highest order.

Abraham Lincoln (Henry Fonda) starts a struggling law firm in Springfield, Illinois, charging his clients a pittance to make a name for himself in the local political scene. When a local man is killed during a fight on July 4, Lincoln elects to represent the two brothers charged with the crime. His defense comprises the majority of the film, navigating family and community entanglements. His handling of everything from a pie-eating contest to a near-lynching give viewers a glimpse of the celebrated orator and champion of the underclass Lincoln came to be as he undertook the presidency.

Fonda gives one of his performances -- and that's saying something -- as the young Mr. Lincoln, bringing to the fore the man's compassion, shyness, and integrity without being overly sappy. His performance is bolstered by John Ford's fantastic direction, which retains its eye for historical detail while never passing up a chance to make a subtle nod to Lincoln's forthcoming greatness.