Lincoln: A Great American Must See

While it is quite possibly the most well-known moment in U.S. history, sitting in the theater watching the moments leading up to the ratification of the 13th amendment unfold I was not only completely engrossed in every detail I was nervous. Butterflies in my stomach nervous about the inevitable outcome. When the moment finally came, I wept. I knew what was going to happen, there were no surprises, but I cried as if I heard the story for the first time. And I was in good company, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.

Disney’s Lincoln is powerful, beautiful, emotional and completely wonderful.

It is no surprise to me that Oscar buzz is already swirling about this film even before its nation-wide release. The real question isn’t if Lincoln will win an Oscar, it is how many. Yes, it really is that good.

The performance delivered Daniel Day-Lewis portrays him as a man who is both driven and conflicted in his mission to abolish slavery and his role as a family man. In a movie about politics, Lincoln’s larger-than-life stature becomes strangely human as we see what it took to accomplish his great mission — to abolish slavery while protecting his family from the tragedy of war that surrounded them.

The casting perfection continues with Sally Field as Mary Lincoln and Tommy Lee Jones as Radical Republican Congressman Thaddeus Stevens. These actors don’t lend their talent to just any movie and when a cast this heavy teams up with Steven Spielberg the result is nothing short of phenomenal.

Lincoln’s strength and fortitude lead to one of the greatest moments of American history, and under Spielberg’s direction Day-Lewis’ commanding performance lead to a movie worthy of that moment in time.

By the end of the film, I was emotionally drained but completely satisfied. Whether you are a history buff, a Spielberg fan, an American, all of the above or none of the above Lincoln is a must see.

Lincoln is available on DVD, Blu-Ray/DVD two-disc combo pack or four-disc combo pack. 

Disclosure – I was invited to attend this premiere as part of a blogger weekend. All air fair and lodging was provided, however, all thoughts and opinions are my own.