Spielberg’s “Lincoln”

Rating: above and beyond 5 stars

Take renowned historian and author Doris Kearns Goodwin’s book “Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln” and have Pulitzer Prize recipient Tony Kushner write the screenplay adaptation, then put it the hands of Academy award-winning director Steven Spielberg. Throw in Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field and an all-star supporting cast and you have all the ingredients needed to make movie magic.

“Lincoln” whisks you back in time to 1864, near the end of the Civil War when 16th President Abraham Lincoln, portrayed by Daniel Day-Lewis, is about to begin his second term in office. Lincoln is desperately trying procure votes to pass the 13th Amendment before the end of his first term and restore the Union at the war’s conclusion.

The movie embodies a humanist look of how this critical time in the history of the United States affected every citizen, both psychologically and physically, while the leaders of our nation dredged up the fortitude to will through and save America from dissolution.

Daniel Day-Lewis’s performance is beyond convincing. You truly feel as though you are watching our 16th president go through the heavy-hearted trials of being commander-in-chief during our country’s most desperate hour.

The weight of the choices Lincoln had to make was more evident in this movie than in any other re-enactment or re-counting of that period. Sally Field shines as First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln in conveying the intensity and depth of the relationship between the First Lady and the President as husband and wife. Her performance was masterful.

As an American with the slightest interest in our country’s lineage, “Lincoln” is a must-see cinematic event bringing to life the personal tribulations of our nation’s undeniably greatest president.