Lincoln (3/26/2013)

Rated PG-13 for an intense scene of war violence, some images of carnage and brief strong language.

Starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Tommy Lee Jones, Jackie Earle Haley and James Spader

Directed by Steven Spielberg (Jurassic Park and Saving Private Ryan)

President Abraham Lincoln was an inspiring man with an inspiring story. This movie captures that and inspires us.

Steven Spielberg directs two-time Academy Award winner Daniel Day-Lewis in Lincoln, a revealing drama that focuses on the 16th President’s tumultuous final months in office. In a nation divided by war and the strong winds of change, Lincoln pursues a course of action designed to end the war, unite the country and abolish slavery. With the moral courage and fierce determination to succeed, his choices during this critical moment will change the fate of generations to come.

It’s hard to say that Steven Spielberg has directed a “bad movie, but it has been a few years since I have been in awe at his work. For me, the wait is over. Lincoln is classic Spielberg film making – brilliant, moving and epic. This is one of the best acted, best written, best directed movies of the year. And unfortunately many moviegoers will skip this one because nothing blows up, there’s no “eye candy” and no catchy soundtrack. In fact, to truly enjoy and appreciate this film you need to pay attention to every word that is spoken in the very rich dialogue.

Daniel Day-Lewis is nothing short of brilliant in his role as Abraham Lincoln. Besides delivering an Academy Award worthy performance, Lewis is surrounded with great actors and actresses who compliment him at every turn. Tommy Lee Jones, Jackie Earle Haley and David Strathairn. But my favorite was the trio of James Spader, Tim Blake Nelson, and John Hawkes. They provide some levity and much-needed laughs in an otherwise heavy film.

Without a doubt, Lincoln is one of my favorite movies of 2012. I loved almost everything about it.

There was only one thing about this entire movie that I did not like, and that was Sally Field. Call me insensitive; call me something worse, but I really dislike when an actor or actress has to cry in every film they are in. And it’s not just the crying; it’s the overacting and the over embellishing. She came very close to ruining this movie, but Lincoln is so good that I was able to look past it this time…but just this one time.

I am certain I will own a copy of Lincoln on Blu-ray – it’s “worth buying.”

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
There is no sex or nudity and although the violence is graphic, it is brief. No surprises there, I was however, surprised by the more “salty” language. There is 1 F-word and there are several other profanities.

Of course the main theme of this film is slavery and racism. Some people will likely be offended by the more racist characters.

When it’s all said and done, I would say that because of the historic nature of the film, teenagers should see it.

CONVERSATION STARTER

1. What was the one thing Abraham Lincoln knew he needed to do?


2. Why was abolishing slavery such a difficult thing to accomplish?


3. Do you think he was ever tempted to just give up?


4. What do you think kept him motivated? (He knew it was the right thing to do.)


5. Read the following verses:
   
   James 4:17
   So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

   Romans 12:21
   Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

   Isaiah 1:17
   Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.

   
   What do these verses tell us about doing the right thing?


6. When was the last time you were faced with the difficult choice of doing what was right or doing the easy thing? What happened?


7. What can you do this week when faced with that choice?