In the Land of Things: "Lincoln" - a conservative take on the Civil War

A great history lesson, indeed. Is there more to the latest film directed by Steven Spielberg than just history? The first hour or so makes me think of TV midday docu-dramas that are watched by housewives/ househusbands and retirees. But then it gets better, when Daniel Day - Lewis has his speeches as the 16th US President Abraham Lincoln. Unbelievable, what can Day - Lewis do with any of his roles. He changes so dramatically, that when I just recently watched "The Last of the Mohicans" he was not recognisable any more. The specific manner of speaking, the "h-why's" or "h-where's," the way he walked and the way his side-face looked like, quite remarkable.
This is what's best about the film - the actors. Tommy Lee - Jones does not really fit with his awkward wig, but nevertheless, his performance inevitably reminds me of his look at the Golden Globe ceremony - vide the grumpy cat. Sally Field has her moments, so does Joseph Gordon - Levitt, playing Lincoln's eldest son.
Obviously I loved the cinematography, not just because I'm a fan of Janusz Kaminski. His takes don't change too much over the years, but they just add so much to the story! This time the dream sequences were done really masterfully. Tony Kushner, the screenwriter undoubtedly knows his score, but perhaps he should work on the story a bit more. How is it possible that the most important events of the Civil War were shown in such a way that I looked on my watch once or twice? And in a Spielberg movie? But fortunately, when the first hour or so was over, the rest of the movie was really gripping and really in the style of Spielberg's finest achievements.
A great review is available in The New Yorker.