Lincoln:

Fiercely focused on history

Ruwini JAYAWARDANA

Steven Spielberg’s recreation of the last four months in the life of the 16th President of the USA might be upheld as a work of national importance by USA but it has little impact on the rest of the world. Based on the book ‘Team Of Rivals’ by Dorris Kearns Goodwin ‘Lincoln’ portrays an individual determined to abolish slavery and end the American Civil War.

The opening scene sets the tone of the movie with the gloomy setup and aftermath of battle. This invokes the images that Spielberg brought out in ‘Saving Private Ryan’. Two black soldiers speak in hushes voices to a seated figure, half hidden by the shadows. Even before we see the full face of the protagonist it is his intelligence and understanding of the commoner which comes to light. This is a wonderful way to introduce Abraham Lincoln to the viewers and makes a striking impression of him in their minds for his modesty and grandeur.

Another fact that deserves praise is the make up and costume designing department of ‘Lincoln’. The team has managed to turn Daniel Day-Lewis into a replica of the past president. No flaws meet the eye in this sector. Even the backdrop of the story seems real.

The movie illuminates power players’ opinions of their leader and provides a behind the curtains look at the political landscapes of the 1860s. All the details fall into place because it is done after a lot of research. Then the scenes shift to Lincoln’s personal life which is ruled over by his unstable wife Mary Todd who is constantly grieving over the 11-year-old son that they have lost due to typhoid fever.

The drawback of the movie is that it seems to fiercely focus on the historic facts too much. This makes it a bore to watch for a full two and half hours especially because the tale begins to sound more like a history lesson than a work of art. It demands your attention rather than lets you sit back and relax.

Comic jolts are rare but is a treat in instances like when Lincoln puts down a few lobbyists who are attempting to gang up against him in favour of the prevailing system of slavery. A number of interesting anecdotes are scattered in the dialogues by screenplay writer Tony Kushner. It also runs along the lines of similar biopics like Phyllida Lloyd’s ‘The Iron Lady’ based on the life of Margaret Thatcher. Both these movies revolve around globally renowned leaders in the world and are handsomely done but lack the light vein of humanity and heart which runs across films like Luc Besson’s Aung San Suu Kyi inspired ‘The Lady.’

Kudos to the Anglo-Irish Day-Lewis for taking on the challenging task of breathing life into the legendary figure. Only a few actors of stature could have truly pulled off the effort successfully. He truly deserves the Best Actor Oscar for the performance he has given. Even the light, musing tenor and awkwardly halting gait of Lincoln has been studied and performed to perfection. Sally Field does well as Lincoln’s wife Mary. She is especially effective when playing the guilt-ridden scenes between the couple.

This sets out another message that sacrifices have to be made in personal life to make a successful political career. David Strathairn and Tommy Lee Jones too deserve praise for their projection of Secretary of State William Seward and Thaddeus Stevens. Joseph Gordon-Levitt makes a striking Robert, Lincoln’s elder son, who goes against his parents’ wishes and joins the fight against the Confederates.

This is yet another landmark project by Spielberg and Kushner. ‘Lincoln’ makes a compelling watch and gives personality with a punch.