As portrayed by Daniel Day-Lewis and as directed by Steven Spielberg, "Lincoln" is more than a good movie. I rarely pay to see a movie twice in a theater (actually I haven't ever done that), but I would go see Lincoln again. This time I'd skip the concession stand. The movie was so captivating that I didn't want to go the ladies room even after consuming a large diet coke.
I went to school in Springfield, Illinois and later moved to another town not far from "New Salem" where he lived as a boy. From the age of 5 to the age of 10 I had many opportunities to tour buildings where the great man walked and learn about the things he did. Yet I still found myself spending two hours last year at Ford's Theater devouring every detail of Lincoln's presidency and the end of the Civil War. When we went upstairs and stood just feet from where he was shot, I felt a grim appreciation for the travesty of his life cut short.
And because of my recent trip to D.C. I really had no desire to see the movie when it first came out. The brilliant Mr. Brinkmeyer suggested it and I went along to appease him. I've always known he was a smart man! Tommy Lee Jones and James Spader, what fun! The characters and the dialogue made the time pass too quickly. There are just some experiences that you don't want to end.
Take the movie at face value and don't question the accuracy. The magic of the movie is the gentleness of the man juxtaposed by his determination to overcome great opposition. This portrayal of the tenacious and gentle giant placed my view of our current lack of leadership and dismal economy in proper perspective compared to the devastation of the Civil War.
This is not a tale of Lincoln's life. It is a delightfully detailed look at a significant event in his life. If you like stories about people with great determination, a talented ensemble of actors, and clever dialogue you cannot miss this movie.
