The Student News Site of Neshaminy High School

The Playwickian

The Student News Site of Neshaminy High School

The Playwickian

The Student News Site of Neshaminy High School

The Playwickian

‘Lincoln’: a box office hit

By Reed Hennessy
Sports Editor

Watching “Lincoln” is seeing a movie that truly expresses both the human and political condition of Abraham Lincoln during his crucial years of passing one of the most disputed amendments of his time, and how the democratic process truly works in America. Daniel Day Lewis perfectly combines elements of passion, hilarity, earnestness and intellect to embody one of the greatest presidents in the history of the United States, Abraham Lincoln.

While Lewis may have been the leading role, “Lincoln,” isn’t without its incredible supporting actors and actresses.

Sally Field plays Mary Todd Lincoln, Lincoln’s wife and number one supporter who reminds Senators and Representatives alike that the people love Lincoln. Tommy Lee Jones, who plays Thaddeus Stevens, the prime leader of the Radical Republicans and one of the most sarcastic and powerful members in the House of Representatives; nails the role perfectly and played a key role in “Lincoln”.

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Joseph Gordon-Levitt performed spectacularly by showing Abraham Lincoln as a father instead of just a president. Playing Robert Lincoln, Levitt was able to successfully show the struggle of having your father be the president; especially during the civil war. Robert Lincoln tries to enlist time and time again; however seeing as how his father is the commander-in-chief Robert faces off with his father multiple times in the movie.

In a more gruesome scene in the movie, Abraham brings Robert to a military hospital in an attempt to discourage him from enlisting. Robert sees a massive hole filled to the brim with amputated body parts. This backfires and ultimately leads to Roberts’s feelings increasing and his later enlisting.

Besides the internal struggles of his family, Lewis also perfectly displays Lincoln’s disposition during the Emancipation Proclamation. Three characters that stood out in the movie as both comic relief and knights in shining armor (for hire) are; Tim Blake Nelson (Richard Schell), James Spader (W.N. Bilbo) and John Hawkes (Robert Latham). Schell, Bilbo and Latham are approached by William Seward (David Strathairn) and paid to help secure votes for the Emancipation Proclamation.

Overall “Lincoln” is a masterpiece; it perfectly depicts the internal and external struggles that one of the greatest presidents in United States History faced. Not only will this movie win multiple awards but it will be played over and over again by future generations.

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‘Lincoln’: a box office hit