Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln is in a quandary. It’s 1865, and the bloody and divisive Civil War has taken its toll. Nevertheless, ending the war too soon would allow the South to block the 13th Amendment to the Constitution that would abolish slavery once and for all. Lincoln centers around the machinations, politics, and back room deals set in motion to pass the 13th Amendment.

ClearPlay In Action!

ClearPlay edits some brief Civil War violence, as well as images of gore. Also cut are about 50 profanities, in addition to some derogatory racial epithets. Though the movie could be educational for many kids, the younger ones will find it rather slow and confusing (as in, “Hey, dad, why do all the government guys keep yelling at each other when they’re all from the North?”). Still, a masterwork of period detail.

Is the movie Lincoln ‘of the people, by the people and for the people’?…

Lincoln is a sincere, heartfelt attempt to recreate an era, and is successful at illustrating a piece of American history, though a more apt title might be The 13th Amendment because Lincoln sits out large portions of the film. Daniel Day–Lewis in the title role is deserving of his Oscar, with good supporting performances from Sally Field, James Spader, and Tommy Lee Jones. It’s a strong effort from Steven Spielberg, though some viewers may find it talkie, dull and overly long.

Marty Nabhan— ClearPlay Abolitionist

Rated PG-13 for extended sequences of intense fantasy action violence, and frightening images; 169 min; Directed by Peter Jackson