Directed by Stephen Spielberg
Starring Daniel Day Lewis, Sally Field, Joseph Gordon Levitt, Tommy Lee Jones and tons more
Released November 9, 2012
Watched December 13, 2012
timmmc.com score: 3.5/5 stars
Contenders: Adapted Screenplay, Director, Leading Actor, Best Picture... basically everything
Lincoln is a perfect example where my "skills" at separating aspects of what I see.
First, the performance by Daniel Day Lewis is absolutely deserving of every accolade it's received, and will almost assuredly take home the Oscar.
The scope and tone of the film was exactly right for me. When I first learned of the film, I feared that the movie would turn Abraham Lincoln into this god-like figure, as opposed to a president dealing with what he had to deal with. I am extremely happy that this was not the case, that the film concerned itself with the moment as much as it did the man (if that makes any sense). This is a trapping that biopics often fall into, but Lincoln mostly avoided.
My problem with the film most lies in the screenplay. While obviously this is a film without many action sequences or whatever, the characters are incredibly long-winded, to the point where it's easy to lose what they are saying. For me, this is my general problem with Tony Kushner... the man is an absolutely stirring writer, but sometimes loves his words. Unfortunately for me, it came off somewhat dry.
In all, however, this is probably the film to beat come Oscar time. I can see it winning a vast majority of the awards, and deservedly so. I can't say it's my favorite film of the year to this point, but I can most certainly see and feel it's power.
timmmc.com score: 3.5/5 stars
Contenders: Adapted Screenplay, Director, Leading Actor, Best Picture... basically everything
LINCOLN: very good, if a bit long winded. My initial worries were unfounded. DDL has it in the bag. Blog to come. #timmmcreviews
— Timm McIntosh (@timmmc) December 14, 2012
Lincoln is a perfect example where my "skills" at separating aspects of what I see.
First, the performance by Daniel Day Lewis is absolutely deserving of every accolade it's received, and will almost assuredly take home the Oscar.
The scope and tone of the film was exactly right for me. When I first learned of the film, I feared that the movie would turn Abraham Lincoln into this god-like figure, as opposed to a president dealing with what he had to deal with. I am extremely happy that this was not the case, that the film concerned itself with the moment as much as it did the man (if that makes any sense). This is a trapping that biopics often fall into, but Lincoln mostly avoided.
My problem with the film most lies in the screenplay. While obviously this is a film without many action sequences or whatever, the characters are incredibly long-winded, to the point where it's easy to lose what they are saying. For me, this is my general problem with Tony Kushner... the man is an absolutely stirring writer, but sometimes loves his words. Unfortunately for me, it came off somewhat dry.
In all, however, this is probably the film to beat come Oscar time. I can see it winning a vast majority of the awards, and deservedly so. I can't say it's my favorite film of the year to this point, but I can most certainly see and feel it's power.
