Rent Lincoln (2012)
3.2 of 5 from 521 ratings
2h 24min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
- From legendary director Steven Spielberg comes this acclaimed, exhilarating historical drama. Daniel Day-Lewis gives a memorable, Oscar-Winning performance as the profoundly influential American president, Abraham Lincoln. During his final turbulent months in office, Lincoln strives to convince war-ravaged America's bitterly divided government to abolish slavery. With fierce, unstoppable courage, Lincoln inspires a decision that will change history forever.
- Actors:
- Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, David Strathairn, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, James Spader, Hal Holbrook, Tommy Lee Jones, John Hawkes, Jackie Earle Haley, Bruce McGill, Tim Blake Nelson, Joseph Cross, Jared Harris, Lee Pace, Peter McRobbie, Gulliver McGrath, Gloria Reuben, Jeremy Strong, Michael Stuhlbarg, Boris McGiver
- Directors:
- Steven Spielberg
- Producers:
- Kathleen Kennedy, Steven Spielberg
- Writers:
- Tony Kushner, Doris Kearns Goodwin
- Others:
- Daniel Day-Lewis, Jim Erickson, Rick Carter, Michael Kahn, Joanna Johnston, Lois Burwell, Kay Georgiou, Ronald Judkins, Production Design: Rick Carter; Set Decoration: Jim Erickson, John Williams, Janusz Kaminski, Andy Nelson, Gary Rydstrom
- Studio:
- 20th Century Fox
- Genres:
- Drama
- Collections:
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- Awards:
- BBFC:
- Release Date:
- 10/06/2013
- Run Time:
- 144 minutes
- Languages:
- English DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1
- Subtitles:
- English Hard of Hearing
- Formats:
- Pal
- Aspect Ratio:
- Widescreen 2.40:1
- Colour:
- Colour
- BLU-RAY Regions:
- (0) All
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Reviews (4) of Lincoln
Wordy, nationalistic, disappointing, sanitised hagiography of Lincoln - Lincoln review by PV
I found this movie deeply irritating.
Yes, Daniel Day-Lewis gives a perfect performance of Abe Lincoln - though he doesn't use the N word as he did in real life, and there is no mention of his plan to send blacks back to Africa. There is also an assumption too that the American Civil War was all about slavery, when in fact it was more about control and whether states (incl the southern ones) would be run from the centre (i.e. the north, and Washington).
But what really grates is the fact that the US is portrayed as a beacon of democracy and justice - when in fact in Britain slavery was banned in 1807 and in the 1830s in British colonies. So the USA was well behind the UK in its pursuit of justice, equality and democracy therefore.
The film itself is so wordy - so much so that even I, someone who likes wordy films (and foreign films often are) was bored. It's surprising that Spielberg, the best action director in Hollywood (think Jurassic Park) should make such a movie - which anyway would have been far better suited to a TV mini-series. Arguably, it is all about the division in US society now, and the Obama presidency - so TV would have suited such a subject better.
Disappointing, over-long, boring and verbose - though no doubt a favourite of those studying law - this only deserves 2 stars. I think a lot of people are rating Abraham Lincoln (and expressing anti-slavery pro-equality sentiments) by giving it more. I am rating the film as a film, not the man it portrays.
8 out of 8 members found this review helpful.
Rather boring - Lincoln review by Rob S
With Steven Spielberg at the helm I had high expectations for this and usually enjoy films covering political history, but sadly I didn't get to the end of this one. It is all about the 13th amendment (abolisition of slavery) and how Lincoln toils with this versus the ongoing North / South civil war. The initial scenes are great with some gruesome battle action and Lincoln in the field speaking to frontline soldiers. After this good start we move to Washington and commence at least 90 mins of mostly men speaking in dark smokey rooms about the issues of the day. It is very dull and unengaging. It is not entertaining at all and became a chore to watch with so little going on (which is why I switched off about 100mins in). The acting is first class as as is the filmmaking itself, but the story and script are tedious. Can't recommend unfortunately.
1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.
lincoln - Lincoln review by hc
one of the most boring films I have ever seen, if I had paid to see it then I would have wanted my money back.
1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.
Critic review
Lincoln review by Alyse Garner - Cinema Paradiso
Lincoln attempts to do the impossible and put to film a depiction of the larger (literally) than life figure of Abraham Lincoln (Daniel Day Lewis). However Lincoln isn't your conventional biopic, in that it doesn't depict the man's life, it depicts his final battle, the abolishment of slavery and the fight to pass the 14th amendment.
The film uses this structure to give you a glimpse of the man and the life he led but also to ensure the man stays somewhat of an enigma. The film is beautifully crafted and is unlike the Spielberg we are used to. It's a film that has a very clear voice and Day Lewis is the perfect choice for honest Abe as he becomes the character so completely. The cast is rounded out with other top choices from Tommy Lee Jones as a disgruntled abolitionist to Sally Field as Mary Todd Lincoln.
Lincoln isn't interested in providing the same sentiment as say E.T but it does strive to depict a family man and it that department the film is filled with emotion as the film shows the tragic nature of Lincoln's past and its effects upon him. The film works because of its direction and the script by Tony Kushner is filled with wonderful dialogue that Day Lewis just sinks into bringing about the kind of amazement that a president as loved as Lincoln deserves. Spielberg is clearly a remarkable director who is able to elicit dynamic performances from his actors that require acknowledgement as Lincoln is a film about its performances and Day Lewis's in particular, although watching James Spader have a clumsy fight in the mud does entertain. Ultimately its a honest and unashamed look at a outstanding man which makes for a rich rewarding viewing experience that surprises in its depth despite the films very limited focus.