Spielberg's LINCOLN: "Like a Hallmark Movie, with Bayonets"

[Stauffenberg]

A recent review of this film by Asawin Suebsaeng excoriates it (justifiably in my view), although it is bound to be controversial as you can see from the comments. Here's a sample from the review itself:

[INDENT]

But the most glaring misstep has to be manner in which Spielberg and Co. handle their depiction of our 16th president: with kid gloves. As great a leader as Lincoln was (the country's finest, by academic consensus), he still savaged the Constitution, led a ruthless and hellish war on the South, and subverted free press and expression like it was his job. There are, at most, a cumulative three sentences in the film addressing these uncomfortable truths. By portraying Abraham Lincoln as little more than a benevolent and wise old man with an army, the filmmakers do a disservice to his legacy and deny us a far more interesting and nuanced character—one who was accomplished and awe-inspiring, yet profoundly flawed.[/INDENT]

Spoiler Alert: he gets killed at the end :
http://www.motherjones.com/mixed-media/2012/11/film-review-lincoln-steven-spielberg-daniel-day-lewis-tommy-lee-jones

[anjou]

Spoiler Alert: he gets killed at the end :

Awwwww now I've got no reason to see it!

[charlesonmission]

I think the issue is, to a certain extent, they (the producers) wanted to avoid a Gods and Generals type situation where they try to tell too much. Focusing in on a complex period on a complex person for a specific period is all that one can really do in a movie. An extended HBO series would be able to take in all aspects of Lincoln (or at least more) including some of the more controversial ones. That's my take, I'm going to go see it on Sunday!

Charles

[Ethan]

I think the issue is, to a certain extent, they (the producers) wanted to avoid a Gods and Generals type situation where they try to tell too much. Focusing in on a complex period on a complex person for a specific period is all that one can really do in a movie. An extended HBO series would be able to take in all aspects of Lincoln (or at least more) including some of the more controversial ones. That's my take, I'm going to go see it on Sunday!

Charles

Well, here in Spain, the film will be released on January 18, 2013 and I'm eager to see it. I've been reading the reviews and seen the trailer, and they're very good...

So, please tell me what you think about it as soon as you leave the cinema.

Greetings!

[charlesonmission]

Saw the movie 2 days ago. I thought it was really good. I'm surprised the review above says there were only 3 sentences dealing with Lincoln in a negative way. It seemed to be a lot more than that to me..... But, in a good historical way. I think most people interested in history will be pleased with the outcome.

Well, here in Spain, the film will be released on January 18, 2013 and I'm eager to see it. I've been reading the reviews and seen the trailer, and they're very good...

So, please tell me what you think about it as soon as you leave the cinema.

Greetings!

[Ethan]

Many thanks, Charles, for your reply. Now, I have even more desire to see it. I'm sure that I'll like the film.

Regards!

[FENRIS]

just a post to eradicate the Xrunner ...