Film Review: Lincoln (12A), (U.S.A. 2012) (Director: Steven Spielberg), Saturday 26.01.2013 13:40, The Cameo Cinema, Screen One, Edinburgh

I was intrigued to see this, due to the prospect of Daniel Day-Lewis performing as Lincoln. A Spielberg historical epic is not enough to get my interest.

The cast were faultless, though it was Day-Lewis's performance which was of particular note; appearing yet again to fully inhabit the character he is portraying, to the extent that at times I did find myself forgetting that it was a performance. It was also amusing to see James Spader as a portly chap with a swagger to him; quite a departure fro previous roles.  The film was quite engrossing, and although it did not drag, it did feel to have a gentle pace.

It was refreshing to see neither slavery or the civil war to the fore, and in the most part the focus was upon the machinations of politics. The film focuses solely upon the last four months of Lincoln's life, encompassing the work to bring about the thirteenth amendment (to abolish slavery) and the end of the civil war. This I feel assisted both the focus of the piece and the absence of unnecessary flab. Lincoln's demise was also handled in an appropriately restrained and dignified manner. Although this is a solid film that I find hard to have fault with, at the same time it did not feel particularly exciting or gripping.

Rating: 8/10.