Lincoln - Film Review

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Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln (2012) is a historical drama that chronicles the final months of Abraham Lincoln’s presidency, focusing primarily on his efforts to pass the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which abolished slavery. Based on Doris Kearns Goodwin’s biography Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, the film is both a political procedural and an intimate portrait of one of America’s most revered figures.

The film, starring Daniel Day-Lewis in a transformative performance as Abraham Lincoln, goes beyond the mythic image of the 16th President to explore the political manoeuvring, moral dilemmas, and personal struggles he faced during a defining moment in American history.

Set in early 1865, during the final months of the American Civil War, Lincoln focuses on President Abraham Lincoln’s (Day Lewis) urgent push to secure the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment through the House of Representatives. With the war nearing its end, Lincoln fears that once peace is declared, the political will to abolish slavery may vanish. He is determined to secure the amendment’s passage before the Confederate states are reintegrated into the Union.

The narrative intertwines political manoeuvring with Lincoln’s personal struggles. The President works closely with Secretary of State William Seward (David Strathairn) to secure votes, employing both persuasion and political patronage. Meanwhile, Lincoln navigates tensions at home—his wife Mary Todd Lincoln (Sally Field) is still grieving the loss of their son Willie, and his oldest son Robert (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) desires to enlist in the Union Army.

As the House vote approaches, the stakes intensify. The film climaxes with the historic vote on January 31, 1865, followed by Lincoln’s reflections on the war’s toll and his assassination shortly thereafter.

At the heart of Lincoln is the tension between moral idealism and pragmatic politics. Lincoln is presented as a leader who understands the necessity of balancing lofty ethical goals with the gritty realities of governance. His moral commitment to ending slavery is absolute, but he is willing to engage in political compromise and backroom deals to achieve his aims.

The film raises important questions about whether moral ends justify morally ambiguous means. Lincoln’s willingness to authorize patronage appointments in exchange for votes underscores the messy, often transactional nature of politics. Yet Spielberg’s portrayal suggests that these compromises were necessary to achieve a moral breakthrough.

Spielberg’s Lincoln examines the nature of leadership during times of crisis. Lincoln is depicted as a patient, empathetic, and deeply intelligent leader who can navigate both political and personal crises. His ability to communicate through storytelling—a defining characteristic in the film—reveals his gift for persuasion and human connection.

Leadership, as portrayed in Lincoln, requires both vision and flexibility. Lincoln’s strategic thinking allows him to focus on the larger historical arc while managing immediate political realities. His willingness to take risks and endure personal criticism reflects a profound sense of responsibility for the nation’s future.

The film is a study of democratic governance, illustrating how significant social change is achieved through the often slow and contentious workings of legislative bodies. The House of Representatives is shown as a chaotic, factionalized arena where partisanship and personal ambition frequently obstruct moral progress.

By dramatizing the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment, Lincoln highlights the imperfections of democracy while celebrating its potential to reflect evolving moral values. The film suggests that democracy’s strength lies in its ability to accommodate fierce disagreement while still moving toward justice.

While Lincoln focuses on national transformation, it also emphasizes the personal toll of leadership. Lincoln’s relationship with Mary Todd Lincoln is marked by shared grief and emotional strain. Mary’s fear for her husband’s safety and her emotional volatility reflect the human cost of public service.

The dynamic between Lincoln and his son Robert reflects generational conflict and the burden of legacy. Robert’s desire to enlist in the war symbolizes a young man’s need for agency, while Lincoln’s reluctance reveals his deep fear of further familial loss. These personal struggles humanize Lincoln, presenting him not only as a statesman but as a husband and father navigating profound loss and responsibility.



Abraham Lincoln (Daniel Day-Lewis): Daniel Day-Lewis delivers a meticulous, layered performance that captures Lincoln’s wisdom, humour, and melancholy. His portrayal moves beyond the marbleized image of Lincoln as a national icon, instead revealing a complex man deeply aware of his historical moment.

Lincoln’s character is defined by his moral clarity and political acumen. He is willing to engage in political manipulation to achieve a higher ethical purpose, reflecting a leader who understands that righteousness alone cannot effect change without pragmatic action. Day-Lewis’ physical transformation—his stooped posture, soft-spoken delivery, and deliberate cadence—enhances the authenticity of the portrayal.

Mary Todd Lincoln (Sally Field): Sally Field’s portrayal of Mary Todd Lincoln offers a nuanced depiction of a woman burdened by grief and social pressure. The film emphasizes Mary’s intelligence and emotional depth while portraying her as a tragic figure struggling with the psychological aftermath of losing a child.

Mary’s relationship with Abraham is marked by both affection and tension. She fears for his safety and resents his emotional distance, yet she recognizes the historical significance of his work. Field’s performance adds emotional gravity to the domestic scenes, grounding the film’s political narrative in personal pain.

Thaddeus Stevens (Tommy Lee Jones): Tommy Lee Jones’ portrayal of Radical Republican leader Thaddeus Stevens is both fiery and poignant. Stevens is depicted as a principled but politically savvy advocate for racial equality. The film explores his ideological purity while showing his willingness to temper his rhetoric to secure the amendment’s passage.

Stevens’ personal life—revealed in a tender final scene where he returns home to his African American housekeeper and long-time partner—underscores the personal stakes behind his public commitment to equality. Jones’ sharp delivery and commanding presence make Stevens a compelling moral foil to Lincoln’s pragmatic idealism.

William Seward (David Strathairn): As Lincoln’s Secretary of State, Seward serves as a crucial political ally. Strathairn’s portrayal emphasizes Seward’s realism and organizational skill. He is depicted as the architect of the vote-gathering effort, managing the political operatives tasked with securing wavering Democratic votes.

Seward’s pragmatism complements Lincoln’s moral vision, highlighting the collaborative nature of political leadership. The film acknowledges the essential role of behind-the-scenes manoeuvring in achieving legislative change.

Spielberg’s Lincoln is widely praised for its historical authenticity, though it takes some liberties for dramatic effect. The film’s focus on the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment is accurate in broad strokes, including the political horse-trading necessary to secure votes. However, the film compresses timelines and simplifies some aspects of the legislative process.

One notable historical embellishment is the portrayal of Thaddeus Stevens moderating his stance on racial equality to secure the amendment’s passage. While the core tension between idealism and pragmatism is accurate, the film dramatizes Stevens’ personal journey for narrative impact.

Despite these dramatizations, Lincoln captures the essential moral and political struggles of the era. Its fidelity to the language of historical documents—particularly Lincoln’s own speeches—grounds the film in historical truth while offering a compelling narrative.

Janusz Kami?ski’s cinematography employs a muted colour palette, evoking the era’s sombre atmosphere. The film’s visual style emphasizes natural lighting, creating a sense of historical authenticity. Spielberg uses close-ups and static compositions to focus on character interactions, reflecting the film’s dialogue-driven nature.

John Williams’ score is restrained and elegiac, complementing the film’s reflective tone. The use of silence in key moments—such as the final vote—heightens the emotional impact. The film also incorporates period-appropriate sound design, immersing viewers in the 19th-century setting.

Lincoln is a masterful exploration of political leadership, moral conviction, and the complexities of democracy. Spielberg’s meticulous direction, combined with Daniel Day-Lewis’ transformative performance, offers a deeply human portrayal of Abraham Lincoln during one of America’s most pivotal moments.

By focusing on the political struggle to pass the Thirteenth Amendment, the film emphasizes the messy, imperfect nature of democracy while celebrating its capacity for moral progress. Lincoln is not only a historical drama but a timeless meditation on leadership, compromise, and the enduring fight for justice.

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