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(For Day 20 of NaPoWriMo, the prompt was for a poem that recounts a historical event. Perhaps it becomes too abstract here, but I was inspired by this film and the passing of the 13th Amendment.)

“All men are created equal.” How simple! How fair!
Yet full of bull exceptions from the start.
While for decades, we disputed
Who exactly “all” included,
Each amendment added justice a la carte.

With the Civil War near-over, it hinged upon one vote
Whether slavery was truly at an end.
The Radicals were egging
On the timid, even begging
For the courage to be willing to offend.

For offense was unavoidable with rampant opposition.
There was no opinion free of vitriol.
But the President’s supporters
Had resolved to get three quarters
Of the states to redefine their use of “all.”

It bewilders modern senses that freedom was contentious,
That worth was based on race and shade of skin,
But this was second nature
To the warring legislature
In which the new amendment had to win.

Agreement is impossible for monolithic sides,
But single individuals can sway
Their moral qualms, if any,
And the future fates of many
If only they know justice won’t delay.
________________________

MPA rating:  PG-13

It was just a few months ago that I said in my last blogiversary post that Lincoln narrowly missed out on being List-Worthy but might make the cut with another watch. Well, just revisiting some scenes for this review made me realize this historical masterpiece from Spielberg deserves its place in my Top 365. Based on Doris Kearns Goodwin’s biography Team of Rivals, the film encapsulates the last four months of Abraham Lincoln’s life, particularly the hard-fought battle in the House of Representatives to get the 13th Amendment approved before the Civil War’s end.

My main complaint after seeing Lincoln was how dense and talky it can get with its closed-door strategy meetings and political maneuvering, but then again, it’s remarkable how well it conveys its messages with so many characters and agendas in play. No surprise, but the film’s greatest asset is Daniel Day-Lewis in the title role, a native Brit disappearing completely into the iconic American President. The voice, the weariness, the righteous indignation, the political acumen, the moments of folksy wisdom shared with his subordinates – with every scene, he proves how much he deserved that third Best Actor Oscar.

Yet he also leaves room for others to shine, a cavalcade of excellent supporting roles filled by both established and rising stars, from Colman Domingo and David Oyelowo in the excellent opening scene, to the likes of David Strathairn, Hal Holbrook, Michael Stuhlbarg, Walton Goggins, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Jared Harris, and Adam Driver. As far as Oscar-nominated roles, Sally Field is good as the overwrought Mary Todd Lincoln, but Tommy Lee Jones is a hoot as Radical Republican leader Thaddeus Stevens, a role that probably would have won him Best Supporting Actor if not up against Christoph Waltz for Django Unchained.

Lincoln is a showcase of talent at every level, from its layered portrayal of Washington politics and a script both subtle and on-the-nose to its array of skilled actors making the most of every scene. I tend to think Lincoln wouldn’t have used profanity as he does here, but otherwise, Day-Lewis’s performance will surely go down as the definitive cinematic portrayal of the 16th President.

Best line: (Lincoln) “A compass, I learned when I was surveying, it’ll, it’ll point you true north from where you’re standing, but it’s got no advice about the swamps, deserts, and chasms that you’ll encounter along the way. If in pursuit of your destination, you plunge ahead heedless of obstacles, and achieve nothing more than to sink in a swamp… what’s the use of knowing true north?”

Rank: List-Worthy

© 2024 S.G. Liput
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