MOVIE OF THE WEEK/OSCAR WATCH: Lincoln

Often when we watch a film, we tend to differentiate between those intended for intellectual stimulation vs those merely serving to entertain (the notion of the "popcorn" movie). With "Lincoln", Steven Spielberg shows that an educational film can be equally entertaining if its done right. It's certainly done well here, as we are treated to a work of exquisite filmmaking. "Lincoln" is set during the closing days of the American Civil War, as President Abraham Lincoln fights to pass the 13th Amendment to end slavery. Now, despite these terms "war" and "fight" there really isn't much physical action in this film. This film is more of a historical drama where the battle is won through words and ideals. The plot hinges on those words "all men are created equal" (made famous by the Declaration of Independence) and the ideals that reject slavery as a curse against humanity.
Based on his recent reputation, it's understandable that some may be wary that Spielberg might drown this story in sappy melodrama. Well, what Spielberg eventually produced completely thrashes this perception. This film is an example of confident directing, as Spielberg tells the story straight and true. Spielberg has tackled the plight of African-Americans before (The Color Purple and Amistad), coming under criticism for the heightened drama that has become his trademark. On this occassion though, he takes a big risk and it really pays off. I was so impressed by the respect that he paid the audience. He never reaches for cheap sentiment or thrills. From the first scene, he establishes a tone and commits for the remainder of the film.
Of course, a low-key film like this depends highly on strong writing to carry it through. Thankfully, Spielberg was able to reunite with Tony Kushner, bringing to life undoubtedly one of the finest scripts of 2012. For better or worse, this film is very talky. Although I was fully engaged throughout, I will admit there are times when it does lose some energy as it focuses on the preparations for the all-important vote. When the plot goes into the courtroom scenes however, the script really sings. This is where you really get the message of the film, as it reveals all the exciting politics that surrounds the decision to free the slaves. The passion showed in these scenes is a prime showcase for the phenomenal cast that was assembled for this film. Among the supporting players, you have no doubt heard much about Tommy Lee Jones and Sally Field. Much like "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" last year, this seems to ignore the stellar work of the rest of the ensemble though. Namely, I must single out Lee Pace, David Strathairn, Hal Holbrook and John Hawkes (superb acting from the sidelines) who are equally as riveting. It's Jones who gets the most to work with though, playing the heroic and admirable Thaddeus Stevens. To be honest, he's really just playing another version of that gruff persona we've come to love, but heck, it works. In his big showy scenes, he had me grinning from ear to ear.
The most impressive acting achievements come from Daniel Day-Lewis and Sally Field though. As Mary Todd Lincoln, she takes her character's craziness quite literally, giving a theatrical performance that stands out from the rest of the cast. Some may not like it, but I admired her commitment.
Finally, I must sing the praises of the main attraction - Daniel Day-Lewis as Abraham Lincoln. For a man known for his fiery intensity, I wasn't expecting a performance of such finely-tuned restraint. We all know about his famous "method acting" technique and he certainly employed it to good use here. It's quite amazing how he completely disappears into this role. It's really unlike any other performance I've ever seen from him. He brings a fully developed interpretation of this iconic figure. His acting is so consistently strong that his "Oscar clips" aren't even the most compelling scenes. Through his speech, posture and facial expressions, you can sense the weariness that came with his tumultuous presidency. At the same time, his eyes exude such life and passion. He makes it clear that his burden is heavy, but he's determined to do the right thing for the people.
Overall, watching Daniel Day-Lewis and his supporting cast deliver this story was a tremendously rewarding experience. I came out of "Lincoln" with my spirits lifted as it reminded me of humanity's capability for doing good. The great Steven Spielberg is back!

As usual, I cap my reviews of certain films with some Oscar analysis. "Lincoln" definitely fits the bill, as it's likely to be a juggernaut at this year's Oscars. Firstly, Tony Kushner's rich screenwriting will surely be a strong contender for Best Adapted Screenplay. It boggles the mind to think about how he came up with all those eloquent lines of dialogue. In fact, it made me want to find a copy of the script to further take in the literary brilliance.
You can also check off many of the visual-related categories. The team behind this film really did some impeccable period-specific work and should easily get nods for Best Production Design, Best Costume Design and Best Makeup & Hairstyling. As with most of Spielberg's films, the score was composed by John Williams, adding surprisingly subtle background music to the equally subtle proceedings. The music is spare, but it's so beautiful that it leaves you begging for more. If all goes well, John Williams could be in line for yet another Oscar nomination for Best Original Score. On a related note, the film should also get a nod for Best Sound Mixing.
Another major triumph of the film is the editing. There isn't a wasted moment in this film and I am sure the Academy will acknowledge this with a nomination for Best Editing. As I said in the review, this film is an acting showcase and should easily secure nominations for Best Actor (Daniel Day-Lewis), Best Supporting Actor (Tommy Lee Jones) and Best Supporting Actress (Sally Field). Of the three, Field's performance will be the most divisive for general audiences, but she will certainly have a lot of support within the Academy. With all these ancillary nominations, you can bet that this film will figure into the 2 most important categories. I feel very confident when I say that "Lincoln" is a lock for Best Picture and Best Director nominations. In case you weren't keeping count, that's a whopping 12 nominations (and maybe even more!). It sounds outrageous, but this film deserves it. All that's left is to wait and see how many trophies it actually snags come February 24th.