Lincoln (***1/2 out of ****)

Lincoln is one of those movies that comes out exactly when it was suppose too. Shortly after a presidential election gives the film some weight and the audience gains a better understanding of how democracy in the USA works. Lincoln is a film that Americans should see.

Daniel Day Lewis plays the president in what may be a more historically accurate portrait. He's soft spoken, kind, and was a warm aura. Lincoln as a film focuses not on the great leader's life, but almost entirely around the ratification of the 13th amendment, the one that would end slavery in the county. The president and his advisors worry about what the amendment will mean to the closing stages of the war as well as how they can get the majority vote. Characters played by Tommy Lee Jones, James Spader, John Hawkes, Tim Blake nelson, Hal Holbrook and David Starthain will due the persuading on the president's behalf most the time.

It's a film that is long and heavy handed. Day dream for a minute and the meaning a conversation will pass you by. This is a intellectual movie that aims to teach and show the importance of these historical events.  Focusing on one aspect of the president's life was the best way to approach this movie. Lincoln's life is historical common knowledge but the methods on which the 13th amendment was passed is not so clear. The film is contains great, sets, acting, pacing and conversation that is worth hearing. It's on the strongest films about politics in years.

***1/2 out of ****