Quartile rating: 7/10 · 1 rating
The revealing story of the 16th US 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.
Lincoln is anchored by Daniel Day-Lewis's towering, career-defining performance as Abraham Lincoln, widely regarded as one of the greatest screen portrayals of a historical figure ever committed to film — a genuine 4. The supporting cast (Tommy Lee Jones, Sally Field, David Strathairn) is equally exceptional. The plot, while meticulously scripted by Tony Kushner, is procedural and legislative in focus — compelling but narrow, tracing the parliamentary maneuvering to pass the 13th Amendment rather than offering a sweeping narrative. Cinematography by Janusz Kaminski is handsome and period-appropriate, with characteristic Spielberg warmth and amber tones, though not especially distinctive. Novelty is limited: the film sits comfortably in the prestige historical biopic tradition, and while its legislative focus is somewhat unusual, it does not reinvent the genre. The ending is dignified and effective — Lincoln's assassination handled with restraint — but follows the expected arc of a historical tragedy.