What a disappointing film
Actually, that's not completely accurate. Given Spielberg's track record of making predictable, overwrought, saccharine-soaked films during the past two decades, I didn't really have high expectations going into this film. I was, however, anticipating something genuine and powerful. Lincoln seems tacked together. What's worse, it doesn't feel like its director is passionate about the content at all. The actors all do a fine job (especially Daniel Day-Lewis, who is virtually unrecognizable in this role) and James Spader (what a great performance!). Unfortunately, they're given a sappy, formulaic, and directionless script which all too often relies on long-winded speeches, overly-emotive outbreaks, and preachy sermons. Poor Day-Lewis: he's such a phenomenal actor, but he's been given a role that allows him to do little more than segue from one interminable tirade to another. The best moments are those in between, when one can see his brain furiously attempting to work out everything that's going through it. It's not difficult to believe that this is an exhausted, haunted man who is constantly aware of the weight of his decisions. The problem is that, due to all the problems with the film, it's difficult to care about his decisions at all. As usual, Spielberg chooses to knock us over the head with the gravity of the various situations. He never trusts that his audience can make that determination for themselves. The most unforgivable thing, though, is that Joseph Gordon-Levitt's talent is basically thrown away. His role is neither substantial nor interesting. How one can hire him and not take advantage of his presence, I do not know. But Spielberg has managed to do just that. It's difficult to believe that this is the same person who made Jaws, Close Encounters, ET, or even Saving Private Ryan (which, despite having a bunch of problems, is a far superior film to this). It's really sad-he seems to have completely lost it.
Hell is other people
-Sartre