November 4, 2012 | 6:51 pm

Review: ‘Lincoln’

Posted by Joan Alperin-Schwartz

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Okay I know what some of you may be thinking...A film about Abraham Lincoln...Boring!!! Let me assure you it's anything but...boring.

Steven Spielberg has directed a riverting, intense, exciting, fascinating film about the President of the U. S. that put everything on the line, to pass the 13th amendent to the constitution, which would end slavery, throughout the country. And let me tell you...that was no easy task.

These guys will do everything and anything to help get this done. Seward even hires a trio of hooligans (John Hawkes, Tim Blake Nelson and James Spader) to help get Lincoln the votes he needs, by any means necessary. They actually bring a wonderful comic relief to the film.

What I found most interesting, (and apparently forgot from my history classes) it was the Republicans that were anti-slavery. The Democrats were vehemently pro-slavery and it wasn't only the Southern democrats...New Jersey, New York, Massachusettes were not big on the whole freedom thing either.

'Lincoln' was written by the award- winning playwright, Tony Kushner ('Angeles In America') which he adapted from two best selling non fiction books...and he does a fantastic job in capturing Lincoln the man.

The scenes between the President and his high strung, nuerotic wife, Mary (Sally Field) and his son, Robert (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) are quite touching. Kutchner and Spielberg also captures what a shrewd and clever politican Lincoln was, willing to make back room deals to get this amendment pass.

And wow, did this guy love to tell stories...long ones, but always interesting especially the way Daniel Day Lewis tells them.

Lewis's performance is absolutely memorizing and I predict, he will get another Oscar for his work.

The film takes place in 1865...the war is still raging, but the South is losing. Lincoln has just four months to get this amendment passed. Once the war ends, it's over. No one will care about passing it...

The President is up against the clock. And even though, we all know how it turns out, you can't help but sit on the edge of your seat as the Congressman start to vote.

Watching this film with an election coming up, you can't help but think about, how far we've come, and how far will still have to go.

Speilberg, who I felt missed badly with 'War Horse' has redemmed himself with this epic film. And for that reason, I gave 'Lincoln' which opens in theatres, Friday November 9th, 5 bagels out of 5.

John wasn't as passionate as I was about the film, but he did enjoy it...kind of.

Check out our video to see his bagel score and for more of our banter .

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