Concentrating almost entirely on a few weeks at the start of 1865 as Lincoln and his close circle attempt to pass the Constitution's slavery-abolishing amendment, and his fight to acquire the necessary effective votes in the Senate (by cajolery, promises and bribes), it does not shy away from depicting his motivations and anguish in prolonging the Civil War and its painful statistics of casualties, by refusing to compromise. Despite the film's title it is neither a hagiography and even less of a biography, but by capturing a short slot of time in his career (admittedly the most significant one) it does manage a totally convincing multi-dimensional portrayal of the man.
Acting throughout is of a very high order indeed. I shan't feel any of her rivals has been cheated if Sally Field picks up the Bafta and Oscar awards for her role as the self-willed but dutiful Mrs L. Similar recognition ought to be due to Tommy Lee Jones. One should not overlook Tony Kushner's superior screenplay too. However, if Daniel D-L does not win his it will be a travesty, but he surely will. (Is there anything this man cannot do?)
If this film doesn't end up in my Top 10 of the year, I'll eat my (artifical) fur shako!...............7.5/10
Not a fan of DDL
ReplyDeleteAND I must admit I generally dislike historical biopics
So I don't think I will bother
Okay, J.G. Have to admit that I'm one of those in complete awe of this fellow's chamelionic talent. I've described him before as the male answer to Meryl Streep, both of whom like no one else, can so inhabit the roles they portray that one has to remind oneself who they actually are rather than the other way round, viz familiar actors 'pretending' to be their characters.
DeleteBut if you've also an antipathy against films re-constructing historical events then I agree that that seems a further reason for you not to expend needlessly.
I liked this movie very much;
ReplyDeleteI would be fascinated to know what non-Americans think of Lincoln, for he is our national Trickster/Hero. He is so revered and hyped here, a Christ figure who died on Good Friday for our sins.
Yes, it was remarkable.
DeleteI'd guess (but I may be wrong) that quite a number of Americans read heroic traits into Lincoln's character that were simply not there, in order to make him more of a Saviour-like figure, playing down the pragmatic side of his motivations. I also think that this film may have shown him as more favourably disposed towards black people (can one say that these days?) per se than he actually was. But my own knowledge is patchy and may well require correction.
As for what Brits generally think, well their overall knowledge of history, even of British history, is nowadays so abysmal that I doubt if even most kids who've just completed their education could cite a couple of indisputable facts about A.L., or even say with confidence to which party he belonged.
Speaking of which, it was interesting to see a time portrayed when the Republican Party was regarded as the 'liberals' (at least on this issue) and the Democrats as the more rabid extremists. How times change!
I saw this irony as well. I am proud to know smoe history, and to hear how the democrats were then they were republicans now.
DeleteExactly, Dr Spo. Any present-day Democrats watching this film have reason to congratulate themselves on how they've progressed while I suspect that members of the other party may well be cringing at being shown how, in the same time, they've actually REgressed. Must be particularly troubling for African-Americans with Republican sympathies (and I do believe that there are some) - or, if it doesn't, it OUGHT to worry them.
DeleteAs I expected, D-L added another well deserved trophy to his collection at the SAG Awards last night. What I did not expect was Jones also taking home an award. I believe that this is his first win. Poor Sally - at this point she has won nothing.
ReplyDeleteThis year, the Oscar race will be interesting. Spielberg has lost to Affleck every time - must be a terrible blow to his ego. Since Affleck was snubbed at the Oscars, I think that Spielberg will win this one. Also hoping for a Kushner win and rooting for Sally.
Yes, Paul. It's one of those years when the Best Actor Award really is (or, I'd say in this case OUGHT to be) a foregone conclusion. I think that richly DDL deserves all the prizes he picks up.
DeleteGlad that TLJ won. I was actually wondering if he'd won for anything in the past and if this really is his first it's well merited. He always delivers the goods.
It'll be an injustice if Sally Field wins nothing at all when she obviously deserves significant recognition. Fingers crossed for her. As also for T.K. whose screenplay was sharp and intelligent, without over-cloying notes of condescension to which the subject could have been liable.
Spielberg is one of the handful of directors that Hollywood just tends to take for granted (another one is Scorsese). It's as though they've had their moment and it's time to look to a new generation when, in fact, they've actually had very little formal recognition up to now. Pity that 'Lincoln' comes out in the year that 'Argo' caught everyone napping and made them sit up and notice - whereas every Spielberg film is automatically an 'event' and gets huge publicity, which probably works against him.
I love your reviews very much, but I have to say I love the comments and the "continued conversation" within the comments.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to any and all comments even more than I do to writing my original opinion, Cubby, and love to follow them up. Everyone up to now (bar one) has been exceedingly kind to me - that particular one being someone last year who said that I was 'out of my depth' and ought to stick to writing reviews of Hollywood blockbusters. But I lay no claim to being an expert on film. I just go frequently and speak honestly of my own reactions, without advocating that anyone who has a different viewpoint must be 'wrong'. There is, of course, no absolute 'right or wrong'.
DeleteBtw: A personal landmark statistic in my seeing this film - 'Lincoln' was my film number 4,444!
I didn't mean to imply that TLJ has never won an award. In fact, he has won his fair share. What I meant to say is that the month of January has seen a couple of award shows - Critics' Choice Awards and Golden Globes where Mr. Jones has lost to Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Christoph Waltz.
ReplyDeleteBtw, Since we are both admirers of D-L, I was wondering which one of his performances has really stayed with you over the years? Mine is "How Many Miles To Babylon?" which introduced me to him. I have never forgotten his an Siam Phillips amazing performances.
Thanks for correcting my understanding on TLJ, Paul. Good to know that he's being recognised while there's still a lot to come from him (presumably).
ReplyDeleteI can't point to one particular thing with DDL. I only became aware of him through 'Laundrette' which post-dates 'Babylon' by three years. To be honest I'd never even heard of 'How Many Miles....'. Having just looked it up, I see that it came out at a time when I used to watch hardly any TV at all - so maybe I should catch what I can from any stuff available on the web.
I think I must have seen every feature film that he's been in - and they've all been significant films in which he always gives a remarkable performance.
I did see him live on stage once - it was in either an AIDS celebrity benefit or another star-studded show raising funds to fight the then Thatcher government's proposed legislation to make it a criminal offence to 'promote' homosexuality - which, despite our efforts, came about - and we had to wait for Tony Blair to repeal it. Whichever show it was (and he may well have been in both!) the many stars did brief 'turns' though I can't for the life of me remember what DDL did. Gary Oldman was also there doing the seduction scene from Joe Orton's 'Entertaining Mister Sloane' with Sheila Hancock. Dame Edna Everidge turned up - as also the Pet Shop Boys doing their first ever live performance. Many, MANY big names - Vanessa Redgrave, Alan Bates, Dame Sybil Thorndike - an amazing galaxy of suoerstars all in one place. But, as I say, I can't remember what DDL did - possibly read a poem or two. (I'll still have the programme somewhere).
It's a shame that he makes so few films, but I can understand why. It must take an awful lot out of him - and every time we do see him he is absolutely extraordinary.
Anyway, I'll give 'Babylon' a look, as it's your strong recommendation. Thanks for commenting, as always.