Major Theatrical Releases May 2019

Lincoln 

 Starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Tommy Lee Jones, Sally Field, Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Directed by Stephen Spielberg

    The story of the sixteenth President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln (Daniel Day-Lewis) during the last few months of his life, as he deals with the eventual end of the Civil War and, more importantly, the addition of the thirteenth amendment to the Constitution which would effectively end slavery.  The amendment had passed in the Senate, but it was more than likely to face defeat in the House due to Democratic opposition.

I have heard a lot of good things about this film, and I couldn't wait to see it.  Anything involving Daniel Day-Lewis has to be stellar, because he is the God of recent cinema, a man who could do no wrong.  He's the only male actor to ever win three Best Actor Oscars (his third for this film), and it's no surprise why - the man is such an iconic actor that he totally envelops the role he takes on.  Watching this film, you totally forget you're seeing someone acting like Lincoln and moreso you feel like you're seeing him live.  This is by far his best performance yet.

On top of his amazing acting, all the supporting actors gave forth brilliant performances.  Sally Field as Lincoln's wife shows extreme vulnerability and hints of the madness that would eventually destroy her.  Tommy Lee Jones, as one of Lincoln's adversaries turned allies, gives a performance whereas anyone other than Day-Lewis was acting in would've stolen the show.  Throw in dazzling performances by the other supporting actors - David Strathairn, Joseph Goron-Levitt, James Spader, Hal Holbrook, John Hawkes, Jackie Earle Haley, Jared Harris and Lee Pace - all add to the telling of the story, and takes the viewer in deeper than ever before during one of America's most historic moments.

The only issue I have with the film is that I wished there was more Lincoln in it.  I didn't know really what to expect, and I thought there'd be more story to Lincoln than his struggle to get the thirteenth amendment passed.  Some people might be bored by the length of the film and that it only delves into that area of Lincoln's life, but it's still a masterful piece of cinematic history brought to glorious life by director Stephen Spielberg and the flawless acting of Daniel Day-Lewis. 

Rating: A+