Movie Musings: Lincoln

My tour of the nominated movies continues! Today I went to see "Lincoln."

A few weeks ago I read an interview in Entertainment Weekly that made me particularly interested in seeing the film. The interview was with the screenwriter, Tony Kushner, who is best known for his play "Angels in America" (which later became an HBO miniseries).

In the interview Tony Kushner talks about collaborating with director Steven Spielberg, first for 2005's "Munich" and now for "Lincoln." When Tony wrote "Munich" he said, "I'd done the teleplay for 'Angels in America' for HBO, but no, I didn't have any experience, really. I had no more of an idea how to write a movie than I do how to build a thermonuclear weapon."

The reporter also asked how much of the script came from historical record and how much was created. Tony answered, "I'm happy to say that sometimes I don't even remember whether it's Lincoln or me. But I didn't want to do a thing where everything that came out of his mouth was something he actually said. There are lines that I wish I could claim credit for. Like the last line of the film, when he says, 'I supposed it's time to go but I'd rather stay.' That's in 'Team of Rivals,' and when I read it, I wept. I was really careful about not having a word in the script that wasn't in use in 1865."

Speaking of the script, I can't remember the last time I saw a movie where the humor was smart, clever and witty. No Judd Apatow style jokes here.

The film focuses on the month of January in 1865 when President Lincoln was determined to pass the 13th amendment to abolish slavery. The country is in the middle of the fourth year of the Civil War and though the President wants to end the war, he can't call for a truce and pass the amendment at the same time, as the goals are in direct contradiction for the confederacy.

Daniel Day-Lewis plays Abraham Lincoln. I am calling it right now, he will win every leading actor award this season. Daniel completely transforms in Honest Abe - the unruly curly hair, the aged wrinkled face, the scraggly facial hair, the crooked posture and the diction. If it weren't for his eyes peeking through the make up, you won't even know it was him!

In the film, Lincoln is portrayed as a comedian. He loves to tell stories, crack jokes and lighten the mood. He's devoted to his wife, played by Sally Field, but is distant with his two sons Robert and Tad. We learn midway through the film that his oldest son Willy died (a death his wife is still grieving). Though he is the most powerful man in the country, he never abuses his position or talks down to his team. He is admirably mild mannered. Day-Lewis' performance is one of the best displays of method acting I've seen in a very long time.

In the Tony Kushner interview he reveals that Daniel almost didn't take the part, "Daniel read the script in 2009 and wrote Steven a really beautiful letter saying that he liked it. But he said he just didn't think he wanted to play Abraham Lincoln. Steven was sad about that - we both really wanted him." Turns out a year later Daniel invited Spielberg to Ireland to talk about the role and as we know, came on board.

As I mentioned, Sally Field plays Mary Todd Lincoln. She's an aggressive woman who bosses around her husband, but shows her soft side when talking about and caring for her sons. My favorite scene with her is when she's greeting guests at the White House and puts one particular politico in his place reminding him that he will never be as beloved as her husband. You go, Mary!

Tommy Lee Jones plays Thaddeus Stevens, the crusader for the abolitionists. He has the best lines in the movie and the best wig. His character has most of the zingers and you always looked forward to him coming back on screen because you knew he was about to skewer someone.

In the film, you don't understand where Thaddeus' fire comes from until the last ten minutes when it is revealed he's in love with a black woman. After the amendment is passed, he brings the bill home to her and asks her to read it aloud to him in their bed.

Halfway through the film Joseph Gordon-Levitt appeared! I didn't know he was in the movie! How can you not adore him? He plays Lincoln's second son, Robert, who demands to leave law school to join the army. Though he was only on screen for a total of ten minutes, it was a nice surprise.

"Lincoln" clocks in at 2 hours and 29 minutes, but you enjoy every second. Who knew the history of the passing of an amendment could make for such an excellent film?

Did you see "Lincoln"? Do you agree that Daniel Day-Lewis will take home all the gold statues?

*Images courtesy of Lincoln

 

Molly Galler

Welcome to Pop.Bop.Shop. My name is Molly. I’m a foodie, fashionista, pop culture addict and serious travel junkie. I’m a lifelong Bostonian obsessed with frozen confections, outdoor patios, Mindy Kaling, reality television, awards shows, tropical vacations, snail mail and my birthday.

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