Report Card----"Lincoln"

"Lincoln" is everything that has been said about it.
Extraordinary film-making.
Tremendous performances.
Compelling storytelling.
A major history lesson, because it has been thoroughly researched by Doris Kearns
Goodwin, one of our great historians.
It's not like Oliver Stone or Clint Eastwood making it up out of whole cloth, like they
tend to do.
You constantly feel like you are learning something.
Something fascinating.

On to the scoring:

Is it interesting?

Always.
A+.

Compelling even?

Often.
A.

Is it controversial?

Of course. The time frame is the last year of Lincoln's life, and the issue is how to get the anti-slavery bill passed through Congress.
Can't get more controversial than that.
A+.

Is it a story worth telling?

Of course.
A+.

Is it good storytelling?

Excellent.
A+.

Is it well written?

Very.
A.

Is it well cast? Well played?, Well shot?

They made all the right moves.
A+.

Is it too long? Too short?

Maybe a tad long. But just a tad. (Get it? Lincoln had a son named Tad.)
But it was a little long. I think it should have ended after the Congressional
fight ended. Instead, they took it all the way to Lincoln's death, and took us to
ANOTHER theatre, where a puppet show was going on and Lincoln's kid was in attendance, rather than Ford's Theatre where "Our American Cousin" was playing.
This seemed like a rather bizarre choice.
B+.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

It's true, and yes.
A+.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

It is predictable, in that you know how it's going to end. Much like the Musical and
movie "1776"
There are similar dynamics at work.
And here, they were just as successful at handling it.
A+.

Do you think about it after you've seen it?

Occasionally. There is a lot to chew on.
A.

Is it funny?

No. Comedy has never been Spielberg's strength. Remember "1941"?
Me too.
C.

Would it have been worth the thirteen bucks it would have cost to see it in the movies?

All thirteen Yankee Dollars.
A+.

Is it impressive ?

Extremely.
A+.

Overall grade: A.

So far, it ranks as my fifth favorite movie of the year.


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My books ,"Show Runner" and it's sequel,"Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
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