Lincoln Review: Daniel Day-Lewis' Acting Is "Superb" in "Cerebral Drama"
Daniel Day-Lewis and Sally Field in "Lincoln"
Credit: David James; SMPSP
Us Rating: ** 1/2
Be wary of a Steven Spielberg-directed Civil War movie -- without a war.
In this cerebral drama, he eschews battle scenes to focus on President Abraham Lincoln (Daniel Day-Lewis) and his quest to end the fighting and abolish slavery in 1865.
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It's an important history lesson -- and, at times, a bear to watch.
Indeed, a large chunk of the film is devoted to Lincoln preaching policy in smoky chambers.
But there's no debate about the acting: Day-Lewis, Tommy Lee Jones (an outspoken congressman) and James Spader (a droll political operative) are all superb.
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Lincoln opens in theaters everywhere on Friday, Nov. 16.
