Lincoln (2012)

[Blessmag]

Just came back from seeing it. Several questions in my mind about certain scenes, such as how the young Lincoln hears about dad being shot. The scene between husband and wife that rises to a loud argument, was interesting if or if not true. Riding through Petersburg was interesting.
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[K Hale]

Has there ever been a husband and wife who never had a loud argument?

As far as I know, Tad Lincoln was watching a play in another theater when his father was shot.

 

[Blessmag]

Has there ever been a husband and wife who never had a loud argument?

As far as I know, Tad Lincoln was watching a play in another theater when his father was shot.

I had never heard that about Tad. I did not state it in my post, trying to prevent a spoiler alert.

 

[AndyHall]

As far as I know, Tad Lincoln was watching a play in another theater when his father was shot.

Wait, wait. . . does something bad happen to Lincoln at the end? Don't spoil the ending for me, people!

 

[K Hale]

Wait, wait. . . does something bad happen to Lincoln at the end? Don't spoil the ending for me, people!

Haha! Seriously though, didn't think Lincoln's assassination required a spoiler alert in this crowd. "Rosebud..."

 

[Nathanb1]

From Wikipedia -- Sorry, my books and Kindle aren't handy at the moment --but this goes along with what I've read.

On April 14, 1865, Tad went to Grover's Theater to see Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp while his parents attended Our American Cousin at Ford's Theater. The same night, his father was assassinated and when the news spread to Grover's Theater the manager made an announcement to the entire audience. Tad began running and screaming, "They killed Papa! They killed Papa!" Tad was escorted back to the White House while his mother pleaded to have Tad brought to his father's deathbed at the Petersen House. "Bring Tad—he will speak to Tad—he loves him so." Late that night an inconsolable Tad was put to bed by a White House doorman.[11]

 

[Blessmag]

Wait, wait. . . does something bad happen to Lincoln at the end? Don't spoil the ending for me, people!

Nah, he just gets his face on the penny and the $5 bill.

 

[pattyjo]

I saw it today and while I thought it was decent I didn't love it. The movie should have been called "The 13th Amendment." I didn't feel I got to know Lincoln enough as I hoped to. The pacing was odd. Long dialogues took up a lot of time in scenes that could have been edited down while important parts of history were quickly shown with little effort. Daniel Day Lewis and Tommy Lee Jones were great. They brought realism to Lincoln and Stevens. I felt many of the other characters over acted, which is typical for a Civil War era film, but it always makes them feel like fictional characters instead of actual historical figures.

There were scenes that could have been iconic that were absent from the film. I would have loved to see Lincoln sit at the abandoned desk of Jefferson Davis. It would have touched viewers to see newly free blacks surrounding Lincoln as we see up close a desolate Richmond. I didn't think my expectations were too high but maybe they were. The limiting of the film's focus to just the 13th amendment weakened the film. Of course this is just my humble opinion and encourage others to share theirs.

I agree with you on your review of the movie,I felt the same way. I was a little bored with all the political jargon regarding the 13th amendment but I was impressed with the tenacity in which Lincoln got it passed. I would have liked to see a little more interaction with Mary Lincoln and alot more concerning the war.

 

[rob63]

I saw it last night and loved it. I agree with those that were a little put off with the beginning scenes, it seemed a little forced to have the soldiers recite the Gettysburg address, but overall a wonderful movie. I especially loved the scenes with Lincoln and Mary, the conflict with his wife made for a metaphor for his life.

Did anyone else catch the very brief shot of Sickles' leg on display? I loved that trivia tidbit.
http://www.thegettysburgexperience.com/past_issue_headlines/2011/july2011/sickles.html

 

[timk]

I thought it was a fantastic movie. I was never bored, even though movies that last over two hours can be tedious. I was never put off that the actors did not look exactly like the people they portrayed (Grant) - I thought they all were wonderful. I would be surprised if Daniel Day Lewis and Tommy Lee Jones were not considered for Oscars. I was very moved by the movie. I have no doubt I will see it again when it is available on disk. History, especially our history, sometimes ugly, is fascinating. I think this movie is fascinating.

 

[Dugger]

I am in Chicago visiting my daughter for the holidays and saw it last night with her. I agree with most reviews that give it 4 stars partly for the reason that unless you are a fairly serious student of the last year of the war and the political players involved you are apt to find yourself at a lost to fully grasp what is going down and who the historical players involved were. The film will challenge those who knowledge of Civil War history is marginal. I loved it but I fear it will be a tedious trip for the uniformed or for those who have been brought up on films whose primary draw is to show a bunch of stuff blowing up and a lotta lewd behavior simply for the sake of appealing to their most base instincts. This is not a film that will appeal to a broad audience.....intricate dialogue and plot is not what sells big today. I think it is a dang good piece of work but with somewhat limited appeal.

I do believe it could have used 1 more battle scene for dramatic appeal. Perhaps something depicting the horrors of the trenches around Richmond/Petersburg thus adding weight to Lincolns statement at the peace conference as to why the "bleeding must stop".

 

[timk]

I am in Chicago visiting my daughter for the holidays and saw it last night with her. I agree with most reviews that give it 4 stars partly for the reason that unless you are a fairly serious student of the last year of the war and the political players involved you are apt to find yourself at a lost to fully grasp what is going down and who the historical players involved were. The film will challenge those who knowledge of Civil War history is marginal. I loved it but I fear it will be a tedious trip for the uniformed or for those who have been brought up on films whose primary draw is to show a bunch of stuff blowing up and a lotta lewd behavior simply for the sake of appealing to their most base instincts. This is not a film that will appeal to a broad audience.....intricate dialogue and plot is not what sells big today. I think it is a dang good piece of work but with somewhat limited appeal.

I do believe it could have used 1 more battle scene for dramatic appeal. Perhaps something depicting the horrors of the trenches around Richmond/Petersburg thus adding weight to Lincolns statement at the peace conference as to why the "bleeding must stop".

I could not disagree with any of this (except the part about being in Chicago - I'm not in Chicago). I saw it with my twenty-something kids, but I seriously doubt my 13 year old daughter would have enjoyed it as much as we did. I agree that showing some action in and around Petersburg would add something, and I also like the thought of showing Lincoln sitting in Davis's chair. But I also think, to get the history challenged crowd in to see this, two and a half hours is about the max length for a movie like this.

 

[PvtClewell]

My wife and I just saw it yesterday (a reasonable $4.50 apiece for the morning matinee, but the shared popcorn and diet Coke at $12 about killed us. Hey, I'm a pensioner).

I think many of us come into the movie with our own expectations and grade the flick from that perspective. It's natural and understandable for us to do that and it explains why some may not like it as much as others.

Dugger, your review tickled me when, on the one hand, you pointed out that some folks may not care for a movie that doesn't have much stuff blowing up, then one paragraph later you wished for at least one more battle scene of Richmond/Petersburg, which, of course, is stuff blowing up. Hey, I understand what you are saying — it's just that the juxtaposition of thoughts made me smile.

I, for one, cannot remember being so engrossed by 2 1/2 hours of so much dialogue and so little action as I was with this flick. Amazing. That's so not me. Usually.

If there was a scene I wished was included, it would have been of Lincoln actually signing the 13th amendment — a presidential action not required of him, but one which he emphatically wanted to do.

Still, I thought it was a movie with powerful performances, script and production. I felt like I was a fly on the wall to the whole amendment process.

 

[Dugger]

My wife and I just saw it yesterday (a reasonable $4.50 apiece for the morning matinee, but the shared popcorn and diet Coke at $12 about killed us. Hey, I'm a pensioner).

I think many of us come into the movie with our own expectations and grade the flick from that perspective. It's natural and understandable for us to do that and it explains why some may not like it as much as others.

Dugger, your review tickled me when, on the one hand, you pointed out that some folks may not care for a movie that doesn't have much stuff blowing up, then one paragraph later you wished for at least one more battle scene of Richmond/Petersburg, which, of course, is stuff blowing up. Hey, I understand what you are saying — it's just that the juxtaposition of thoughts made me smile.

I, for one, cannot remember being so engrossed by 2 1/2 hours of so much dialogue and so little action as I was with this flick. Amazing. That's so not me. Usually.

If there was a scene I wished was included, it would have been of Lincoln actually signing the 13th amendment — a presidential action not required of him, but one which he emphatically wanted to do.

Still, I thought it was a movie with powerful performances, script and production. I felt like I was a fly on the wall to the whole amendment process.

Heh, ya I pointed out that a lotta people today want stuff blowing up and plenty of gore and sex. I was thinking bout how this film might draw those types with a few more battle scenes but then they would also get a great lesson in history regardless if they want it or not. I was also thinking box office. Get the masses of historically clueless in the seat and give a little more blood and gore but at the same time they receive some great info bout American history. Yup. Glory did that.

I must say that the scene with Sally Fields disrobing had me on the edge of my seat. I was wondering just how far she was gonna go! My, she is a great actress and her performance was top shelf. We talking "Best Supporting" here? Anybody think that is possible?

 

[Mark F. Jenkins]

I agree that showing some action in and around Petersburg would add something, and I also like the thought of showing Lincoln sitting in Davis's chair. But I also think, to get the history challenged crowd in to see this, two and a half hours is about the max length for a movie like this.

Hm. I wonder how much footage (and of what) will be "restored" in the "Director's Cut" for DVD? There's bound to be one...

 

[Rebtracker]

Saw it today and absolutely loved it. Fastest two and a half hours I can remember. DD-L was superb in his performance as was Sally Field. The only thing I would change would be the black soldier speaking so boldly at the beginning. I knda doubt that happened... and possibly adding a short scene at Ford's. Great movie!

 

[Dugger]

Hm. I wonder how much footage (and of what) will be "restored" in the "Director's Cut" for DVD? There's bound to be one...

No doubt Sally Fields showing all in VERY soft lite and Abe splitting rails. Barred again???

Ya know Mark, in all seriousness, I think just 5 minutes of realistic ironclad bombardment would have been cool. A little bit of battle ONLY this time in this movie some naval stuff if only briefly. Ya gotta get the masses involved. Naval gun flashes at nite etc. Huge shells arching thru the air....some visual stuff to back up all the dialogue bout the horror. Sweating men cowering for cover as that stuff comes down on em...ya think? Now, this was not a blood and gore war movie but some quick 2 or 3 minute cuts to some stuff like that would have served to wake up the Beavis and Butthead types. I have stated it could have used a tad bit more of battle for the captivation of those who need that. As you know, so many are so cluless as to naval stuff in that war. I preaching to the choir. They missed a big opportunity here and had I produced it I would have got some COOL naval stuff in there as an enhancement to the horror Lincoln is trying to halt. Slipped in as a subtle, brief, but powerful kicker to the whole 13th argument thing. Yes! I harbor big ideas!

 

[Diana9]

Heh, ya I pointed out that a lotta people today want stuff blowing up and plenty of gore and sex. I was thinking bout how this film might draw those types with a few more battle scenes but then they would also get a great lesson in history regardless if they want it or not. I was also thinking box office. Get the masses of historically clueless in the seat and give a little more blood and gore but at the same time they receive some great info bout American history. Yup. Glory did that.

I must say that the scene with Sally Fields disrobing had me on the edge of my seat. I was wondering just how far she was gonna go! My, she is a great actress and her performance was top shelf. We talking "Best Supporting" here? Anybody think that is possible?

Yup, I agree. You'd think Spielberg of all people would know that.

I seem to remember Mozart in "Amadeus" said something along those lines. He said he'd slip in something more elevated in his bawdy crowd-pleasing light operas.

 

[Mark F. Jenkins]

I'm just back from seeing it. I need time to digest it, but I had some immediate reactions:

1. Powerful. One of the most powerful movies I've ever seen. I think, for me, tops in power still goes to Saving Private Ryan, particularly the long opening D-Day sequence; but Lincoln is definitely powerful.

2. I expected to be distracted by Day-Lewis's portrayal of Lincoln more than I actually was. As difficult as it undoubtedly is to play an icon, I think he nailed it. Sally Field is utterly believable, too, and the way she played Mary crossing swords with the Radical Republicans in the receiving line was absolutely wonderful.

3. I was very pleased that Lincoln's Ethan Allen tale made it into the movie, and that they went ahead and milked it instead of rushing it or cutting it short (I was afraid there'd be a telegram rushed in in the middle of it). That was one of my favorite bits from Team of Rivals.

4. I loved Stanton's reaction to Lincoln telling another tale. Both very in-character and a good tension-breaker.

5. The way the movie handled all the people with various, conflicting agendas was great... the Northern Democrats, trying to maintain relevance; the conservative Republicans (which, of course, at the time meant the moderates) as the power brokers in the middle; the fire-eating radicals who don't want to tone down their abolitionism; the Confederate politicians with their own set of agendas... and Lincoln steering a pragmatic course between Scylla and Charybdis (plus a few extra hazards). It really brought home what's difficult to see in retrospect, which is that nobody knew how the story was going to play out, but there were a lot of people with very different ideas who passionately believed theirs was the best course. (And there were a few that weren't so passionate... and there were some that were just muddled...)

 

[Mark F. Jenkins]

Oh... one other thing... Gideon Welles's wig wasn't obvious enough. But I suppose they were trying to avoid upstaging Thaddeus Stevens' wig.